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Today's Poll!Your Opinion: Find solution to Prop. B problems
Friday, January 28, 2011
Dear Editor:
Every once in awhile I have to remind myself that in spite of freedom of speech, I have to bite my tongue. Therefore I will not say what I really want to say in language that cannot be printed.
I have to wonder why some people who profess to caring about dogs so much can still defend Prop. B.
Several of our lawmakers and newspaper editors who have reservations about circumventing the legislative process have acknowledged that the wording in Prop. B was vague and ill-written and a lot of voters were not fully informed.
There was a lot that HSUS did not disclose. Most of Prop. B provisions were already extensively addressed in the Animal Welfare Act and Regulations (pages 51-71) available at the Missouri Department of Agriculture.
They did not tell voters that dog limits, solid floors and breeding rest periods were designed to systematically put even the best breeders out of business.
They did not tell voters that a threat of a misdemeanor charge for any violation would panic many dog breeders and cause dire consequences but HSUS knew exactly what would happen.
Has HSUS or any of Prop. B’s supporters offered any solutions? Sitting down with USDA and MDA inspectors and dog breeders to formulate true common sense, science-based rules seems to be too much to ask of them.
Since Prop. B passed some 400 breeders have quit. Question is where are their dogs? No one is saying. My guess is a lot of them were put down. This will continue throughout 2011 until there are very few licensed breeders left. Did you really think that it would not happen?
It is too bad that the focus has shifted from the welfare of the dogs to a perceived constitutional mutilation. The dogs themselves are no longer important. Of course with Prop. B the dogs themselves were never important. Now they will only be collateral damage in a debate on legislative processes.
If you really care about dogs, now would be the time to contact your legislator and urge him/her to find a solution to Prop. B.
If you really want to keep Prop. B as is knowing what the real consequences are then may God have mercy on your souls.
Marry Me
Comments
rek 2 years, 3 months ago
Kristie, thank you for a well-written, informative article. Every point is absolutely on target.
shelleyp 2 years, 3 months ago
There's absolutely nothing to substantiate the wild claims made in this opinion piece.
The author says the language of Proposition B is vague, but she doesn't provide any specifics. Most of the newspapers I've read have been favorable to Proposition B, and even if they weren't originally, they certainly don't support the current legislative effort to overturn the vote. The legitimate vote of the people, I want to add.
She also says that "400 breeders have quit", but the USDA licensing data doesn't support this assertion. Exaggeration, misinformation, hyperbole--this is the cornerstone of the No on Proposition B campaign.
There have been four breeders that have downsized, and the dogs they no longer needed have been taken by rescues in Washington DC, Colorado, and Indiana.
The bill's only purpose is to provide a decent life for the commercial breeder dogs. The breeders could have provided these basic necessities themselves, but they got caught up in the greed: minimize costs, to maximize profits. And who cares if dogs live a miserable existence in wire cages barely 6 inches longer than they are; without continuous access to fresh, clean water; exposed to the freezing weather with only a ratty blanket and wind break to keep them warm; no access to vet care when injured or sick.
Seriously, does any breeder who doesn't provide this deserve to be in business?
As for "constitutional mutilation", what about the rights of the people to place a citizen initiative on the ballot and vote on it? This right is being denied by the existing state representatives. This right is guaranteed within the state Constitution. Don't the voters of the state matter?
And then the closing "may God have mercy on their souls" ... yes, because cruelty to dogs is a God given right, correct?
rek 2 years, 3 months ago
"miserable existence in wire cages barely 6 inches longer than they are; without continuous access to fresh, clean water; exposed to the freezing weather with only a ratty blanket and wind break to keep them warm; no access to vet care when injured or sick". This nonsense from someone who has never seen a real licensed kennel. Shelley, do you dream this stuff up at night or what? You are not describing a professional licensed kennel. Guess you are just a parrot for HSUS.
The official word from MODA is that 400 kennels have closed. No misinformation here. Before you call someone a liar, you should check the information out. Oh, I guess that is too much trouble. Remember who the liars are......Barbara Schmitz, HSUS. They didn't check facts and got caught in a big lie.
Ben 2 years, 3 months ago
Dear shelly, I really do not like kennels as there are plenty of dogs and cats in pounds that would like a home. But you are either misinformed or talking about illlegal operations. The size of any operation should have little effect on the health of dogs or cats. In fact a larger operation just might be more healthy for pets because of the owner having more to lose money wise. I would like to know if any of the Hsus big shots have dogs as pets I doubt if they do. Thanks goodness for people like rek and kristie with a bit of wisdom.
JMO 2 years, 3 months ago
I read Prop B all the way through before I voted. I saw nothing in it that was vague or unduly restrictive. If giving dogs solid flooring to walk on instead of wire and not breeding females every single time they are physically capable of getting pregnant puts a breeder out of business, good. They aren't responsible breeders if they don't already do those things.
rek 2 years, 3 months ago
Solid flooring AT GROUND LEVEL effectively eliminates the most modern sanitary kennel designs. Buildings specifically designed for small breed dogs (for their comfort, cleanliness, health, and happiness) are now illegal. My inspector said I could easily comply by inserting solid flooring in my roomy pens. She was astounded when I told her that Prop B insists on GROUND-LEVEL. She thought it was outrageous for my 3 to 4 pound Yorkies to live on cold concrete! By the way, it is already required for wire to be plastic-coated and small enough holes so their feet do not fall through. It is not uncomfortable and does not hurt their feet.
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