Your Opinion: Urge lawmakers to affirm Prop. B

Dear Editor:

Last November, nearly 1 million Missourians approved Proposition B - the Puppy Mill Cruelty Prevention Act. That majority of voters knew exactly why they voted for this legislation - dogs are suffering horribly in Missouri's substandard puppy mills; Prop. B will make their lives better.

Now, after years of refusing to deal with this shameful problem, Missouri legislators say they want to "fix" this law before it's even been enacted.

Be assured, this "fix" is a sham. The Missouri Senate's "fix" is SB113. If it passes into law, you won't even be able to recognize Proposition B. SB113 would strip Proposition B of every one of its core provisions.

Very soon, the Missouri House will debate their Prop. B "fix," HB131. This version also guts all protections for the many thousands of breeding dogs suffering their entire lives cruelly housed in stacked, overcrowded, filthy, wire-bottom cages; denied veterinary care; exposed to extreme weather; and given no exercise or human affection.

The Humane Society of Missouri is on the front lines of this disgraceful problem. Every year, in cooperation with state and local agencies and law enforcement, we rescue and rehabilitate dogs from substandard puppy mills. We treat them for severe eye, ear and skin infections; dental disease; parasites and chronic behavior issues. They desperately need and deserve Prop. B.

Missouri legislators should not overturn the will of the people. And, Missourians who voted for Proposition B will not be misled by deceitful efforts to repeal this lifesaving legislation.

We urge all Missourians to contact their Missouri House representatives immediately. Ask them to vote no on HB131 and on the emergency clause attached to the bill that seeks to prevent referendum activity. A successful referendum would stay the proposed Senate and House bills, putting Proposition B into effect as originally scheduled and letting Missouri voters again cast their ballots on the issue in November 2012.

Let your representatives know you and the majority of Missourians want our Prop. B yes vote to stand and the cruelty and suffering for puppy mill dogs to end now.