Stories sometimes drag a reporter in different directions than she planned. Take the story I’m writing now, which is about Missouri’s Proposition B or “The Puppy Mill Cruelty Prevention Act.” Voters approved this initiative last November. However, the Missouri Senate passed a modification of Proposition B last week. The Missouri House will be voting as early as next week.
Early on while interviewing sources from both sides of the issue, I realized one part of the story needed to be dedicated to the Missouri Legislature repealing Proposition B. Most of the folks I interviewed – those for and against Proposition B – were all livid about this.
One other issue also became clear to me. The people I interviewed, who were not dog breeders, didn’t know that their legislators were modifying the act. And they blamed the press for not covering this controversial topic.
Look for my three-part story next week, which will look at the new legislation, as well as opinions from voters on both sides of the issues.
May I suggest that you contact Karen Strange, president and lobbyist for the Missouri Federation of Animal Owners? She will be happy to explain that SB 113 is not a repeal of Prop B, but a necessary step toward defining the terms in the original mandate, providing funds and making provisions for legal enforcement. (Prop B is an unfunded mandate with no provisions for legal enforcement.)
Thanks, Linda, for the contact and information about SB113. I will try to contact Ms. Strange on Monday. I think her insight on this issue will help me write a more balaned story if she is willing to answer my questions.
Please sign this online petition to help stop the government repeal of animal rights and the democratic authority of Missouri’s citizens.
This is a list of what the new Missouri Senate Bill 113 will do to Proposition B:
Removes measures to ensure Regular Exercise
Removes measures to ensure adequate Rest between Breeding Cycles
Removes measures that guarantee access to appropriate and clean food and water
Removes limitations on the number of dogs owned for the purpose of breeding
Removes wording requiring a “Licensed Veterinarian”
Removes need to have annual hands-on check-ups by a licensed vet, instead requiring only a walk-through (again, “licensed veterinarian” has been removed)
Removes wording that each offense “shall” result in an additional charge
Gives a breeder up to 180 days to correct a violation before charges are filed or licenses revoked or suspended