By Jason Noble For The Kansas City Star
JEFFERSON CITY | Proposition B, the “puppy mill†ballot issue voters approved Tuesday placing new restrictions on Missouri dog breeders, could face a challenge in the coming legislative session.
Breeders and agricultural groups said they were formulating plans for repealing or diluting the new law, and lawmakers in both legislative chambers said Thursday that they would support such measures.
“We will start working on that issue probably immediately,†said Senator-elect Mike Parson, a Bolivar Republican whose district includes more than 150 licensed breeding operations.
The legislative session begins Jan. 5.
Prop B was sponsored by national animal rights groups to crack down on the state’s so-called puppy mills — breeding operations that mistreat or neglect animals.
But licensed breeders and the state’s agricultural community loudly opposed it, arguing that it will force legitimate operations out of business while doing nothing to regulate bad ones.
As a state law, the measure is subject to amendments, changes or outright repeal by the legislature.
I am ashamed of our country! I hate who we have become. Letting this go on like this. This country is now a laughing stock. We are nothing but a joke!