USA Today writes about Missouri Puppy Mill Problem

Puppy mill measure Prop B passes in Missouri
Missouri voters on Tuesday narrowly approved a ballot measure aimed at ridding the state of its reputation as the nation's puppy mill capital.

Proposition B, which would take effect in a year, will beef up Missouri's existing laws by restricting commercial breeders to no more than 50 female dogs for breeding, increasing the size of dogs' living spaces and by requiring commercial breeders to have their dogs examined yearly by a veterinarian.

The measure, which applies to operators with more than 10 breeding dogs, also requires the animals to be fed daily and not be bred more than twice every 18 months. Breeders also must house animals indoors with unfettered access to an outdoor exercise yard.

Violations will be misdemeanor carrying up to 15 days in jail and a $300 fine. Small breeders who are currently exempt will remain exempt under Prop B.

The Humane Society of the United States said the measure - drafted partly by the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals - is needed to better regulate Missouri's 1,400 licensed commercial dog breeders and the hundreds of suspected breeders who operate under the radar.

Washington and Oregon have also toughened laws against operators of puppy mills.

The HSUS and ASPCA urge people to adopt from shelters rather than buy from pet stores, often the recipients of puppy mill dogs.

"This is truly a watershed moment in Missouri history," Kathy Warnick, the Humane Society of Missouri's president, said early Wednesday. "All of us in animal welfare are elated by the outcome, and we give our heartfelt thanks to Missourians for doing the right thing and providing a voice for Missouri's defenseless animals."

Many of the grim details about puppy mills are detailed in Carol Bradley's book Saving Gracie, which includes the tale of a dog who was a breeding machine. Meet Nikki, a gentle broken puppy mill dog that was just rescued after being in a cage 8 years churning liter after liter of puppies out for a Puppy Miller in Missouri. Notice how wide her paws on from walking on a wired cage her entire life. Her paws are permanently stained from her own blood and walking in her own urine and waste. She had to have 21 teeth removed but this Mexico, Missouri Puppy Miller's vet(who of course is making a mint off this disgusting industry) said all the dogs were in excellant shape. She is terrified of any floor that isn't carpeted and wouldn't even stand up and when you would go to pet her she would drop to the floor in panic. Missourians should be mortified to be the #1 Puppy Mill State.