Missouri Farm Bureau finds interests outside of Missouri are financing Proposition B.
Compiled by Missouri Ruralist staff Published: Nov 1, 2010
An analysis of Proposition B campaign reports clearly reveals that organizations and individuals outside of Missouri are bankrolling the campaign to further regulate Missouri dog breeders. Almost 82% of the funds reported thus far are coming from out-of-state organizations and individuals, with most of the funds coming from the Humane Society of the United States based in Washington D.C., according to the Missouri Farm Bureau.
"We don't need out-of-state interests setting public policy here in Missouri," says Charles Kruse, president of Missouri Farm Bureau. "We already have Missouri laws on the books regulating dog breeders. Proposition B will do absolutely nothing to shut down unlawful dog breeders and will instead cause reputable and lawful dog breeders to close their businesses.
"Furthermore, if Proposition B passes, these radical animal rights organizations and individuals won't stop there. As experienced in other states, they will work to further regulate Missouri farmers, driving them out of business as well and driving up food costs," Kruse adds.
Through Oct. 21, the Proposition B campaign is reporting receipts of $4.363 million. Of that amount, $3.09 million is from out-of-state organizations and $486,099 comes from residents outside of Missouri. This equates to 82% of the campaign funds raised to promote Proposition B.
Following is a breakdown of the receipts for the Proposition B campaign through Oct. 21:
$4.363 million --Total campaign receipts
$3.09 million -- Total contributions by out-of-state organizations
$2.12 million -- HSUS (Washington D.C./Maryland)
$511,119 -- ASPCA (New York)
$250,000 -- Best Friends Animal Society (Utah)
$110,000 --The Fund for Animals (New York)
$80,000 -- Doris Day League (Washington D.C.)
$10,000 -- Animal Welfare Advocacy (New York)
$10,000 -- Big Cat Rescue (Florida)
Source: Missouri Farm Bureau
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The Wolf in Sheep’s Clothing: Know the Facts on Prop B.
ReplyDeleteBy Dr. Alan Wessler
When you go to the polls Nov. 2, look for a ballot initiative measure called Proposition B: “The Puppy Mill Cruelty Prevention Act”. Pushed by the Humane Society of t...he United States (HSUS), this ballot initiative purports to relieve the suffering of dogs in substandard kennels. The proposition’s wording sounds innocent, but this is a wolf in sheep’s clothing.
The organization: HSUS is a “factory fundraising operation” NOT closely tied to local animal shelters and rescue operations. In fact, these local operations, which do admirable work, receive little to no funding from HSUS. An analysis of its 2008 tax returns shows that HSUS received $86 million dollars of income and paid out $31 million in salaries (more than the White House payroll), $24 million in fundraising expenses, and $20 million in legal expenses (HSUS thrives on stirring up conflict which allows for more fundraising). Only $450,000 went into the actual hands-on care of dogs and cats, or less than ½ of 1% of HSUS’ income. That means for every $19 requested in HSUS emotional TV ads, one thin dime goes to the actual care of animals!
The act: Missouri’s existing Animal Care Facilities Act, a 23-page set of regulations, crafted by 13 Missouri animal health professionals, addresses housing, exercise, food and water needs of dogs in kennels. The Missouri Department of Agriculture (MDA) has 12 kennel inspectors who focus on insuring that kennel license requirements are met. In 2009 MDA’s Operation Bark Alert program received 227 hotline tips, resulting in 57 kennel closures and the rescue of 3,500 dogs. We need more funding for hiring more inspectors. HSUS’ Prop B does nothing to address that; HSUS just wants your money.
The impact: An analysis by Dr. Michael Muhlbauer of the Missouri Veterinary Medicine Association’s (MVMA) Animal Welfare Committee shows that Prop B will not enhance the care of dogs and cats in Missouri. It will bring needless added regulations that will drive out of business those good kennel-owning families who play by the rules. Prop B does nothing to affect people who are animal hoarders, those who abuse animals or those who run unlicensed kennels. More regulation is not the answer. More funding for enforcement and prosecution of the offenders is.
Plus, Prop B sets bad precedent that the government can and should limit production of any business. Prop B attempts to establish that operation size equates with quality of care. That’s not the case. Quality of care depends on the character of the operator.
In my former veterinary practice, I had many good kennel owners who knew animals will give you their best when you first provide them with the best in health, nutrition and good animal husbandry practices. Prop B will destroy these good people’s livelihood.
Every major Missouri agricultural commodity group has come out in opposition to this ballot initiative, plus the MVMA and the American Kennel Club, which says the initiative’s language does nothing to improve animal welfare. Search YouTube to discover the American Veterinary Medicine Association’s negative response to HSUS’ actions.
Heard enough? Please vote no on Prop B.
Born and raised on a farm in northwest Missouri, Dr. Alan Wessler received his DVM from the University of Missouri. For more than 10 years, he practiced veterinary medicine in Aurora, Mo., until joining MFA. Today, Dr. Wessler is vice president of feed operations and animal health at MFA Incorporated. MFA Incorporated is a Midwest regional farm supply and grain cooperative