A Moment with Mike -- Right to Hunt, Fish, & Raise Livestock

As we round 3^rd base and start the home run stretch in this legislative session, we are spending more and more time on the floor debating and passing legislation that will result in a better Missouri.

Proposition B and the legislature’s plan to fix some of the flaws inherent in the voter-approved amendment has received a lot of media attention. For some this has become an extremely controversial subject as they disagree with the idea of changing any of the provisions contained in Prop. B. But for anyone who takes the time to look at some of the unreasonable requirements contained in the act and the damage they could do to honest and lawful dog breeders, they understand the need to fix this well-intentioned but flawed change to our constitution. These fixes are based on good old common sense.

We passed the Proposition B fix legislation last week and sent it on to the governor for his approval. The bill maintains the heart and soul of the proposition adopted by Missouri voters and even strengthens many of the protections for our canine friends. Some of the changes include requiring more inspections of dog breeding facilities each year; dramatically increasing the amount of veterinarian involvement in decisions made by and about dog breeders; and giving the Missouri Department of Agriculture additional authority to go after and shut down unlicensed breeders. The bill also would require breeders to pay fees to help generate funding for the state to hire additional inspectors. Some of the fixes made to the original language include common sense changes like removing the 50-dog limit for breeders and clarifying the penalty provisions so dog breeders aren’t sent to jail for something as simple as a dog knocking food into its water dish.

Some have tried to portray this legislation as a way to undo the will of the voters. I can tell you with certainty there isn’t a single legislator who would support a bill that would cause additional danger for an animal. However, some of the provisions in Proposition B would have done nothing less than force many reputable dog breeders out of business. The bill we passed protects the health and safety of “man’s best friend.” At the same time it allows this important industry, which employs thousands of Missourians, to continue in our state. I am confident in saying the reforms we passed put the care and health of the dog as the number one priority of any breeding facility.

Protecting dogs was not the only crucial issue we took up last week, however. We passed two proposed constitutional amendments that would give voters the chance to protect rights such as raising livestock and the right to hunt and fish from groups that may want to limit them or even take them away. If approved by the Senate, voters will have the opportunity to reaffirm those rights at the polls.

As we continue to approach home plate, more crucial issues will be debated that affect thousands of Missourians every day. I will continue to do my best to represent the people of Northwest Missouri and to help make Missouri a better place to live.

If you have questions, you may reach me at my Capitol number 573-751-9465, at the local district number, 660-582-4014, by email at mike.thomson@house.mo.gov or by mail at Room 401B State Capitol Building, Jefferson City, MO 65101

Casey Guernsey: Legislature Turns Back Proposition B

by State Representative Casey Guernsey

Proposition B is the first step in an attempt to end animal agriculture in the state of Missouri. There are over 100,000 farmers in this state – many of them raise livestock. In the words of the organizations that sponsored the measure – the Humane Society:

“My goal is the abolition of all animal agriculture.”

— John “J.P.” Goodwin, HSUS grassroots coordinator, statement made on AR-Views, an animal rights internet discussion group

“If we could shut down all sport hunting in a moment, we would.”

— Wayne Pacelle, president of HSUS, Associated Press

“The life of an ant and that of my child should be granted equal consideration.”

— Michael W. Fox, HSUS senior scholar, Associated Press

This week the Missouri House passed a measure that would actually make it harder to operate a puppy mill in this state. Our bill, unlike the humane society’s proposition, increases the cost of obtaining a dog breeder’s license in Missouri, and uses that money to increase inspections. Bad people will always do bad things. The current “puppy mills” in Missouri are already operating in violation of our laws. Missouri’s “Operation Bark Alert” is already catching hundreds of illegal breeders and rescuing thousands of dogs. Since the launch of Operation Bark Alert, more than 4,300 dogs have been rescued in across Missouri. In 2009, Missouri saw a decrease of 164 commercial breeders thanks to Operation Bark Alert. In 2010, the trend continued with more than 200 commercial breeders no longer in business in Missouri. This was without the measures in proposition B, designed to end animal farming. We can stop illegal breeders from operating here without hurting legitimate businesses. The Humane Society thinks we cannot legitimately raise animals for food; they think animals are equal to humans. This is insane. Most of Missouri’s dog breeders are small family operations that raise dogs because they love them, and they want to supplement their income. Proposition B will literally put them out of business – while those already operating illegally will continue to do so. Unchanged, Proposition B hurts all dog breeders. Our proposal increases funding to look for puppy mills and shut them down without hurting legitimate farmers. If you suspect someone is operating an illegal puppy mill and want to help us shut them down, you can report unlicensed breeders to state officials at from operation bark alert at:http://mda.mo.gov/animals/ACFA/barkalert/reportbreeder.php

The Missouri Legislature also passed HB 209, the Agriculture Nuisance Reform Act, by a vote of 110-45 that will protect Missouri farm families and farms from the continued onslaught of lawsuits from out-of-state lawyers. Animal production is under constant attack from out-of-state lawyers who simply want to ruin the state's agriculture industry, kill thousands of jobs, and destroy hundreds of rural communities. I am proud that Missouri Legislators, both urban and rural, republican and democrat, stood together to protect our agriculture industry, the jobs it creates, and the rural farming heritage that is the foundation of our state's economic and social well-being. Today's reforms will protect jobs, farms, and future generations who want to continue farming without harming the legitimate rights of adjoining property owners.

As always, feel free to contact me anytime with your thoughts or concerns. My phone number is 573.751.4285 and my email is Casey.Guernsey@house.mo.gov.

Dog breeding law provisions overturned in Missouri House

State lawmakers gave final approval Wednesday to a bill that repeals a number of restrictions set in place by the dog-breeding law, passed by voters last November.

In a press conference following the House vote, Gov. Jay Nixon had little to say regarding his opinion of the legislation. He simply stated that he would be sure to review the bill and promised to continue the allocation of resources for law enforcement practices.

The law currently in place tightens the rules governing practices of dog-breeders throughout the state. The legislation passed by the House would undermine those restrictions.

The bill removes the 50-dog limit placed on kennels as well as requirements for larger cages. Instead, the bill requires using regulations to be set by the Department of Agriculture.

The new legislation would also allow for civil penalties and misdemeanor charges for repeat offenses, apply a $25 annual fee to support law enforcement efforts and allow licensing costs of up to $2,500 instead of $500.

Rep. Tom Loehner, R-Koeltztown, who handled the bill in the House, said the restrictions imposed by Proposition B would call for extensive renovations to the state's kennels, putting some breeding operations out of business.

"Don't go out and punish everyone that is in this industry," Loehner said. "Whether they are doing a good job or not, that is totally wrong."

Bill supporters maintain that voters were unaware of the costly consequences that the law would have on dog-breeders - a claim that critics of the legislation argue against fiercely.

"I'm extremely upset that not only I, but a million other voters in the state of Missouri, voted in favor of Prop B," Branson resident Becky Iverson said. "And for whatever reason, our legislature has decided that the people don't apparently know what they need."

Sen. Robin Wright-Jones, D-St. Louis, said the legislation sets a dangerous precedent.

"We're overturning the voice of the people; it disenfranchises them," Wright-Jones said. "We need to live with what the people say. That's the process and we're turning it around."

The legislation has been the source of heated debate over the course of the spring session, with protests at the Capitol happening almost weekly. The most recent occurred Tuesday when volunteers from local shelters and the Humane Society of Missouri turned out in an eleventh hour effort to defend Proposition B.

Following the Senate's passage of the legislation in March, the House gave its approval Wednesday in a vote of 85-71. It will now go before the Democratic governor to sign into law.

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Senate Advances Measure to Go After Unlicensed Dog Breeders in Missouri

The Missouri Senate gave second round approval today advancing a measure that would create a new crime targeting unlicensed dog breeders, as well as strengthening the guidelines and increasing the number of inspections of licensed dog breeders in Missouri. Sen. Mike Parson, R-Bolivar, sponsored Senate Bill 113 & 95. The bill now moves to the House for similar consideration.

Parson said the bill keeps the heart of the proposition Missouri voters adopted by strengthening provisions and inspections of licensed dog breeders and cracking down on unlicensed breeders. It is estimated there are more than 1,500 unlicensed breeding facilities in Missouri.

“We all want puppies and dogs to be bred and raised under healthy and safe conditions,” said Parson. “That is why we have created a new crime and funding mechanism to hire more inspectors to go after and shut down unlicensed breeders in our state. We also build on the will of the people by making sure licensed breeders must follow common-sense guidelines to protect the health and well-being of their dogs and new puppies.”

Senate Bill 113 & 95 allows the Missouri Department of Agriculture to refer cases of unlicensed breeders to the Attorney General, circuit attorney, or local prosecutor. It also makes it a crime to operate without a license, with punishment ranging up to a Class A Misdemeanor. Parson said the bill also raises the cap on the license fee for breeders from $500 to $2,500, and creates an additional fee of $25 per breeding facility to fund Operation Bark Alert. The fee structure funding would potentially go to hiring an additional five inspectors to join the department’s current staff of twelve inspectors.

“This legislation will truly make a difference as it gives the Dept. of Agriculture every tool they need to combat bad operators, and go after unlicensed facilities,” said Parson.

Parson said the bill also dramatically increases veterinarian involvement. It requires breeders to consult veterinarians to determine how often a dog can breed and must have a veterinarian approved exercise plan for each dog. Stacked cages would be allowed, but only if they include an impenetrable barrier keeping waste and fluids from dropping on the dog below.

The bill also requires breeding facilities to keep sale and veterinarian records for two years on every dog, and make them available to Dept. of Agriculture inspectors upon request. The measure also changes the definition of "pet" to only apply to dogs.

Senate Leader Robert N. Mayer, R-Dexter, said it was important to clarify provisions in Proposition B.

“These common-sense changes will protect the health and safety of ‘man’s best friend,’ while allowing this important industry to continue in Missouri,” said Mayer. “It reforms the industry by making the care and health of the dog the number one priority of any breeding facility.”

Opinion: Mistreating Animals and Unreasonable Laws Are Both Wrong

by the Missouri Farm Bureau

“Mistreating and abusing animals is wrong, but so are unreasonable laws that put reputable animal caregivers out of business,” said Blake Hurst, president of Missouri Farm Bureau, testifying today before the Senate Agriculture, Food Production and Outdoor Resources Committee in support of legislation to make changes to Proposition B approved by Missouri voters last November.

Narrowly passing with 51.6% of the vote, Proposition B places new restrictions on dog breeders in addition to current state law and regulations. According to state inspectors with the Missouri Department of Agriculture, not one of the more than 1,400 licensed breeding facilities in Missouri meet the standards set by Proposition B.

“Missouri law already requires humane care for dogs at licensed breeding facilities. People who disregard the current law will disregard new laws and regulations as well, and Proposition B does absolutely nothing to address that,” said Hurst. “To make matters worse, Proposition B places costly and unnecessary new requirements on reputable dog breeders who are the kind of businesses providing pets to consumers that we should be supporting.”

The proponents of Proposition B spent well over $4 million on the campaign, and the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) alone contributed more than $2 million. Campaign reports show that over 80% of the funding came from out-of-state organizations and individuals. Proposition B was placed on the ballot by an initiative petition funded primarily by HSUS who paid signature gatherers.

“When out-of-state animal activists decide they know what’s best for Missouri; buy their way onto the Missouri ballot; target Missouri voters with a deceptive campaign financed by the Washington, D.C.-based HSUS and other East and West Coast activists who do not live here, pay taxes here and vote here; and put reputable, hard-working Missouri citizens out of business, then legislative action is not only justified, it’s necessary,” said Hurst.

Several bills are pending in the Missouri Senate and House of Representatives to make changes to the statutory language from Proposition B. The legislation has bi-partisan support among legislators and has the support of several major agricultural and other state organizations.

Farm Bureau Gives Legislative Priority List

“Missouri Farm Bureau spends a considerable amount of time and effort working with our members to determine policy issues on the state and national levels,” said Blake Hurst, Missouri Farm Bureau President. “When Farm Bureau testifies in Jefferson City or Washington, D.C., legislators are well aware the issues we speak about have been discussed and debated by our members, their constituents.”

The Missouri House of Representatives Agriculture Policy Committee took testimony this week on major issues facing agriculture. Missouri Farm Bureau state lobbyist Leslie Holloway stated, “While Missouri Farm Bureau is working on many issues this year, there are three agricultural priorities our organization has at the beginning of the session: greater protection for farmers from nuisance suits; landowner and motorist concerns with elk reintroduction in Missouri; and modifications to Proposition B.

“Missouri farmers are experiencing increased exposure to nuisance suits from neighbors, activists and law firms targeting agriculture, even if the farming operation is reputable and following all state and federal laws and regulations,” Holloway said. “For farmers to defend themselves, the legal costs can be staggering. Legislation is being considered this session to change Missouri’s nuisance law to limit damages and make other improvements.”

Late last year, the Missouri Conservation Commission voted to reintroduce elk in three counties in Missouri. “Missouri Farm Bureau opposed the Commission’s decision,” Holloway said, “and supports legislation to make the Conservation Department financially responsible for: the value of crops and pasture damaged or destroyed by elk; the indemnification of losses suffered by livestock producers as a result of disease spread from elk; the value of fencing and other private property damaged by elk; and the personal injury and damage incurred in a collision with elk or livestock released due to elk.”

Missouri Farm Bureau at its annual meeting in December reaffirmed the policy condemning the mistreatment of animals and supporting reasonable, proven standards regulating the care of animals. Farm Bureau believes Proposition B goes too far in its requirements for dog breeders, duplicates regulations already on the books and will put good dog breeders out of business. Farm Bureau will work to make needed changes to the law.