Missouri's Puppy Mill Problem

State Auditor reports find commercial dog breeders have no incentive to comply with Missouri laws!

Press Release: Missouri Alliance for Animal Legislation Calls for Better Enforcement and Regulation of Missouri's Puppy Mills

St. Louis, MO - July 18, 2008 - An audit released by the Missouri State Auditor this week exposes one of the main factors contributing to the state's reputation as the "Puppy Mill Capital of the United States." On Wednesday, State Auditor Susan Montee issued an audit of the Department of Agriculture and the Animal Care Facilities Act Program.

According to the audit, the Department of Agriculture is not meeting its statutory responsibility to inspect annually all of the licensed commercial pet breeders in Missouri. In 2006, the audit revealed that the department failed to inspect 40% of the known licensed commercial breeders. Approximately 1,100 commercial breeders were not inspected that year. This number does not reflect the many pet breeding facilities in Missouri that are unlicensed and currently evading proper registration.

"Three negative audits over the last seven years (2001, 2004 and 2008) each highlighted the Department's failure to comply with the law requiring annual inspections of commercial breeding facilities. A lax regulatory environment is one reason why there are so many puppy mills (substandard commercial breeding faculties) in our state. How many more audits will be issued before this horrendous problem will be addressed?" stated Julie Leicht, executive director.

Founded in 1990, the Missouri Alliance for Animal Legislation is a non-profit organization that strives to bring about positive change for animals through legislative means at the state level. The Alliance works in conjunction with concerned citizens, humane groups, and other organizations to enact, strengthen and protect Missouri's animal welfare laws.

For more information on the Alliance, contact executive director Julie Leicht at 314-361-3944 or visit www.maal.org.

History

The State Auditor of Missouri has released three reports indicating Missouri is failing to comply with Missouri laws related to animal welfare and the Animal Care Facilities Act passed in 1992.

The first report, issued in February 2001, states commercial dog breeders have no incentive to comply with Missouri laws, leaving canines at risk for substandard care.

The second report of State Canine Breeder Inspections, issued in December 2004, finds most previously cited problems still occurring three years after the first report was issued.

The third report, issued in July 2008, again finds that most previous problems still exist.