AR-News: (MO - US) Officials seen to collar illegal dog breeders

[Snugglezzz at aol.com]

Officials seek to collar illegal dog breeders
State estimates 10 are in Boone County.

By MIGLENA STERNADORI of the Tribune’s staff 
Published Sunday, June 20, 2004

When a fire on Liddell Lane in January revealed an unlicensed puppy mill with 
57 dogs and the Central Missouri Humane Society took the animals, it was 
hardly the end of illegal breeding in the area.

Liddell Lane resident John Yanos has launched a campaign against the 
unlicensed operation of his neighbors, Mark and Terri McGrath. Last year, the McGraths 
started breeding dogs without a state license. They also lack a conditional 
use permit required by the Boone County zoning ordinance. 

Julie Peterson, Yanos’ wife, said the wind sometimes carries the animals’ 
odor as well as noise. 

"You can hear them inside even with the windows closed," she said.

Yanos, an emergency medicine instructor at the University of 
Missouri-Columbia, said he is concerned about the animals’ well-being.

"These dogs have never seen people," Yanos said. "The idea of breeding more 
low-quality dogs seems silly to me." 

The McGraths did not return phone calls placed by the Tribune.

At least ten illegal kennels and breeding facilities operate locally, 
according to estimates of the state Department of Agriculture.

Statistics show the number of commercial breeders in Missouri has increased 
57 percent since 1995. Figures in March showed there were 1,461 licensed puppy 
breeders in the state. 

An agriculture department report said the growth reflects mostly licensing of 
previously unlicensed facilities. The department has licensed 11 facilities 
in Boone County, including kennels and commercial breeders. 

Matt Rold, an agriculture department inspector, said there are at least as 
many unlicensed kennels.

Rold said he usually learns of illegal dog operations from the Central 
Missouri Humane Society, when unhappy customers complain about buying a sick or 
dying animal from an unlicensed kennel.

When the agriculture department finds unlicensed dog breeders, the policy is 
to first try to make them comply with state regulations rather than fine them.

"We try to get them to apply for a license immediately," Rold said.

He is now investigating several unlicensed kennels in or near Boone County.

The kennel on Liddell Lane recently applied for a license. Rold said the 
McGraths would need to install heating and air-conditioning equipment in the 
kennel and make sewer improvements. 

A veterinarian inspection showed the dogs were in good condition and didn’t 
need to be taken away, Rold said.

There is no evidence the McGraths are now selling dogs, Rold said.

According to a 2001 state audit, about one-third of all commercial breeders 
that are licensed and monitored by the U.S. Department of Agriculture operate 
in Missouri. The state audit concluded the state program regulating commercial 
breeders was ineffective. 

Yanos and Peterson contend this hasn’t changed much. They have complained 
about their neighbor’s facility to the agriculture department and to the county 
planning and building inspections department.

Last week, Yanos and Peterson had a meeting with officials of the 
Columbia/Boone County Health Department and Northern District Commissioner Skip Elkin, 
who promised to look into the issue.

"I don’t think people will be doing this if there wasn’t a market," said 
Gerry Worley, environmental health manager for the city/county health department.

Yanos said if his neighbors are going to breed dogs, he would like to have a 
say in the process, such as a county hearing where neighbors would be invited 
to speak.

Reach Miglena Sternadori at (573) 815-1709 or mmsternadori at tribmail.com.   

















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