Missouri Takes First Canine Cruelty Act Action

After a number of abusive dog-breeding operations came to light in Missouri, the state passed the Canine Cruelty Act. This week the state took its first action under the law – the rescue of 73 adult dogs and puppies from a breeding facility in Monett, Mo., in the southwest corner of the state.

The dogs are Cocker Spaniels, Labrador Retrievers, American Eskimos, Poodles, Beagles, Papillions and Brussels Griffons.

On June 28, the Missouri Department of Agriculture worked with Attorney General Chris Koster to obtain a temporary restraining order against the owner, Linda Brisco, for violations of the Animal Care Facilities Act and the newly enacted Canine Cruelty Prevention Act. 

According to inspections by the Missouri Department of Agriculture, the facility, was in violation of a number of aspects of the new law. Officials said it failed to provide adequate veterinary care to animals in obvious medical distress,  failed to clean and sanitize the facility, allowing excrement in food receptacles and dirty, muddy drinking water, and failed to keep sick, aged, or young animals in indoor or sheltered housing facilities.

Shot like dogs

According to inspectors, dogs were kept in the open with no shade. In some places feces had accumulated to the point that it was indistinguishable from the flooring. When dogs had to be euthanized, officials said they were routinely shot, illegal under the new law.

In an agreement enforceable under the circuit court, the owner surrendered all animals to the Humane Society of Missouri, and will surrender her Missouri Department of Agriculture commercial breeder license and will not operate a dog breeding facility for at least the next six years.

“It is our goal that Missouri will gain the reputation as the state with the best and most humane breeders in the country,” Koster said.

Since 2009, Missouri has increased inspections, stepped up enforcement and increased the number of citations against dog breeders.