YOUR OPINION: Views on Proposition B

Dear Editor: The Nov. 2 election is almost here and I am still amazed at the number of people who still believe that Prop B. will help dogs.

Prop. B is not designed to improve the welfare of breeding dogs, it is designed to put breeders out of business, period.

The majority of dog breeders here in Missouri operate kennels that are nothing like what the Humane Society describes in its very emotional ads. Their dogs are well cared for. They are licensed and follow the rules set out in the Animal Welfare Act enforced by the USDA and the Missouri Department of Agriculture.

Of the 1,500 licensed dog breeders in Missouri, not a one can comply with the provisions of Prop. B. These provisions are, by design, made to be to expensive to implement, thereby forcing the breeders out of business.

What will happen to these dogs? Has the Humane Society ever said? You would assume that all dogs confiscated would be handed over to rescue centers and shelters (that are already overcrowded) for adoption, right?

Local shelters and rescue centers are also under the jurisdiction and inspection of the USDA and MDA. They are some of the biggest violators of the Animal Welfare Act, and they also should be subject to the provisions of Prop. B. Shelters and rescue centers who cannot meet the standards set by Prop. B should be forced to close also. There are a lot of them.

With potentially several hundred thousand dogs and puppies being rescued with no place to go, we already know what the outcome will be. Prop B. is a death sentence for Missouri dog breeders and Missouri dogs. Remember, HSUS operates no shelters and rescues no animals, less than .5 percent of their budget (about $425,000) actually finds its way to shelters nationwide. Their only intent is to close down animal enterprises, not deal with the consequences. They already have a lengthy history of attacking animal agriculture. To paraphrase a Missouri's slogan, Wake Up Missouri, don't do USUS dirty work for them. Vote "no" on Prop B.

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