Call it a rant if you will.... <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/mad.gif" alt="" />

The condensed version- Once upon a time there was a kennel in Missouri called Awesome Border Collies. Upon further inspection by some bighearted individuals, it was discovered that this kennel was in fact a virtual puppy mill. The dogs were living in terrible conditions, and were being indiscriminately bred & sold basically to the highest bidder. So these bighearted individuals decided to do their best to shut the place down.

Along comes the Missouri Department of Agriculture. They stepped in and seized all the dogs. There was a long list of concerned folk in local rescue organizations ready to take care of the dogs but they were turned away by the Dept. Instead, the Dept is now auctioning off these dogs for $30 each. They did not see fit to spay/neuter first, are not conducting any sort of interview process, and are selling to pretty much anyone willing to plunk down thirty bucks- as long as you are NOT affiliated with any sort of rescue.

It is absolutely not my intention to preach or offend anyone with this post, but I was dumbfounded by the actions of the Missouri Dept of Agriculture. I am not a member of any rescue organization but can say with certainty that the local border collie rescue (here in BC) is full to the brim with hardworking people whose purpose is to educate the public on the border collie's working heritage and provide unwanted/misunderstood dogs with forever homes. I can only assume that the MO rescue runs things the same way, so why on earth would the MO Dept of Ag choose to conduct their business they way they are doing? It left me a wee bit angry and very confused.

So...if anyone lives in Missouri and is looking for a border collie (or knows someone willing to rescue one,) you might want to check out the Dept of Agriculture auctions. Maybe they are on the up-and-up, or maybe this is just a way to make a few bucks at the expense of some poor dogs. Who knows? <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/confused.gif" alt="" />

Thanks for hearing me out.

I live in St. Louis Mo. I'll try to find out more info. Unfortunately, Missouri is considered the Puppy Mill capitol of the U.S. ...Along with the Meth Lab capitol. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/mad.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/blush.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/mad.gif" alt="" />

I recall that one. Our SAR team goes to as many seminars on meth labs as they do dog work. We've found plenty of labs during searches in the woods.

corey, gotta agree with you. doesn't look like the dept of ag is any more ethical than the bozo running the mill in the first place. just hope the dogs manage to find their way into good homes. BCs are awesome little dogs.

I agree. The Dept of Ag sounds just as bad as the puppy mill owner. The local Humane Societies and Animal Controls should rip them a new one!

If the local BC rescues are smart, they'll go in there posing as potentially new owners and buy out as many dogs as they can get.

Stupid that Ag would not want the dogs to go to good homes. Sounds like the are looking for a quick fix and the almighty dollar.

Idiots.

What does state law say concerning disposition of seizured property?

Some states require "disposal" of live animals by either euthanasia or auctioning- the state entities are not allowed to decide by themselves where an animal might or might not go.

Found some Missouri stuff.....
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Neglected or abused animal not to be returned to owner or custodian, when.
578.021. If a person is adjudicated guilty of the crime of animal neglect or animal abuse and the court having jurisdiction is satisfied that an animal owned or controlled by such person would in the future be subject to such neglect or abuse, such animal shall not be returned to or allowed to remain with such person, but its disposition shall be determined by the court.

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At another point it does discuss selling seized items to pay for their care. So the court in Missouri probably follows a set protocol- auctioning is considered fair to all human parties.

One of our local Animal Controls got into trouble several years ago- the Animal Control Officers would go through and pick dogs out, take them home and sell them on the side. In some cases records said the animals had been euthanized, in others "adopted" to a family member. The GP never had a chance. Auctioning removes that possibility.



Anna

Thanks for the info, Anna.

There have been claims that the MO Dept of Agriculture not only turns a blind eye to puppy mills, but actually encourages them by publishing tips on how to generate sales. It would be very interesting to know if this was true, or if it was a bit of extremism started by someone with a bone to pick with the Dept.

I suppose auctioning the dogs is not the end of the world in itself (trying to keep an open mind,) but what sort of conditions were these dogs living in and how has that affected their mental well being? (Same thing with most intelligent, active breeds I guess- nothing better than a good border collie IMO but there's also nothing worse than a bad one.) It just seems so strange that the Dept of Ag is so at odds with the local rescue group. I'd think they would welcome the help, or be glad to have the situation taken out of their hands and into the hands of people who have the dog's best interests at heart.

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Stupid that Ag would not want the dogs to go to good homes. Sounds like the are looking for a quick fix and the almighty dollar.

Idiots.

That`s part of the reason that we moved away from there.

Believe me you don`t want the AG department people deciding what "good homes" are. I don`t personally have any bad experiences with them but they turn a blind eye to puppy mills if it means a little extra money in their pockets. A puupy mill auction can be advertised for weeks and even then nobody but a few rescue groups actually does anything. With a few exceptions most people in St.Louis are more concerned about which high school you`re from than stopping animal abuse or the corrupt politics they have there.