FROM MISSOURI TIMES
Nov. 2's Proposition B Turning Into Dog Fight |
Proposition B, otherwise known as the puppy mill cruelty issue on the Nov. 2 ballot, is shaping up to be as much of a dog fight as any of Missouri's candidate races to be decided by state voters.
Supporters of Prop. B contend the initiative will end widespread abuse of dogs raised in poorly-managed puppy breeding facilities. Opponents of Prop. B see it as a radical animal activist measure that will hurt jobs in the state and put legitimate breeding operations out of business.
The Humane Society argues that there's nothing radical in outlawing the squalid conditions of puppy mills. A group called the Alliance for Truth argues that Prop. B is not necessary and will hurt pet food companies, pet suppliers, veterinarians, hunters and farmers.
"I was shocked when I went to the Greentree Festival and found anti-Prop. B literature being given out at the Republican booth," said Ellen Cox of Glendale. "I talked to state Rep. Rick Stream there and he said many people feel the current laws are enough and this is just more big government interference.
"We have 10 times the number of puppy mills in Missouri as the next worst state - Arkansas," said Cox. "It is embarrassing to see Missouri held up as worst in the country when it comes to treatment of our best friends.
"I lean to the right in my politics," added Cox. "I don't see this as a right or left political issue. I see this as about acting humane. This is about the torture of God's creatures. And I am not an animal extremist. I have no problem eating beef or wearing a leather coat."
Rep. Rick Stream, R-Kirkwood, said to his knowledge the GOP booth at Greentree had literature on both sides of Prop. B available. He said he also has spoken with constituents on both sides of what has become a very emotional issue.
"People feel strongly about it," said Stream. "I don't have a horse in this race. I do have to say that several local veterinarians have told me that it's not needed. There are already laws on the books, they are just not being enforced as they should.
"A lot of rural legislators, both Democrat and Republican, oppose this initiative," said Stream. "There's bipartisan opposition because they feel it's all an issue of enforcing what we have. It's my feeling that more law in this area may hurt legitimate breeders and will do nothing to address the dog breeders who are the problem."
Missouri For Dogs
Bonnie Boime, a Dogtown resident who is a campaign coordinator with Missouri For Dogs, said Prop. B will put teeth into the law and give local police the tools to shut down puppy mill operations that are inhumane.
"The legislature wouldn't do the job, so we got twice the signatures needed to get this on the ballot," said Boime. "Missourians are tired of hearing about operators with pages and pages of violations, who continue to cram dogs in cages, stack them up on one another, and who allow them to become so matted in dirt and feces that they can't move their legs.
"They breed females month after month until they are useless, and then dispose of them in unspeakable ways," continued Boime. "This is not extremist rhetoric. This is what is happening. This has to be stopped."
Boime said she is fed up with hearing that Prop. B will lead to the end of hunting and fishing, and will be a job killer. She said that is the real extremist rhetoric.
"Somehow, this has gotten mixed up into the Tea Party movement," said Boime. "Now, Joe the Plumber is blogging about how Prop. B is big government, will raise taxes and is a job killer. We plan to debate the Tea Partiers in Chesterfield on this issue.
"Prop. B will save taxpayers' money, because when puppy mills are outlawed, taxpayers will no longer have to pay to clean up the mess they leave behind," said Boime. "And, it will add jobs, because breeders will see the need to hire enough staff to adequately care for these animals and keep their operations clean."
Alliance For Truth
The anti-Prop. B group, Alliance for Truth, located in Chesterfield, has Joe "The Plumber" Wurzelbacher's post on its website. He insists that the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) is "cowardly hiding behind animal cruelty, lying to our citizens and taking our constitutional rights away - one state at a time."
"This radical animal rights organization is using the referendum process to slowly, systematically eliminate food production in the United States," according to the post by Wurzelbacher.
Endorsements for Alliance for Truth include rural legislators, vets, breeding operators, the Professional Kennel Club of Missouri (PKCM), as well as Phyllis Schlafly's Missouri Eagle Forum and the Washington University Young Americans for Liberty.
"The PKCM is proud to oppose Proposition B.," said Joe Overlease of PKCM. "This Proposition denies Americans of their rights in a already over regulated industry in Missouri. Proposition B actually lowers animal care standards."
Boime of Missouri For Dogs said Prop. B is not a constitutional or a political issue, but sometimes it is even made into a religious issue. She said opponents have told her that Genesis in the Bible holds that man has dominion over the animals.
"I can cite passages in the Bible that say that a man must feed his animals, before he feeds himself," said Boime. "And what about St. Francis of Assisi? How do you think he would feel about puppy mill cruelty?"
Read more: http://www.websterkirkwoodtimes.com/Articles-i-2010-10-01-171256.113118_Nov_2s_Proposition_B_Turning_Into_Dog_Fight.html#ixzz2d6f0k2Y7
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