This petition is in regards to three pieces of legislation that are currently in the Missouri House of Representatives.

The first of these three bills is HB 1463, proposed by Rep. Adam Schnelting of District 104 (St. Charles County). The bill, also known as the “Protection of Missouri Farms and Private Property Act,” would prevent lawsuits from being filed on behalf of animal welfare and environmental concerns. As climate change is taking a toll on the planet and animals should have protections from inhumane practices, I am urging you to vote no on this bill, if ever brought to the floor. 

The second bill is HB 2204, proposed by Rep. Jeff Knight of District 129 (Dallas and Laclede County, along with its Senate counterpart, SB 847, proposed by Sen. Karla Eslinger of District 33 (Douglas, Howell, Oregon, Ozark, Ripley, Texas, Webster, and Wright County). These bills would effectively eliminate the disposition process for abused and neglected animals and allow the animals to remain in the hands of their abusers until the conclusion of a criminal trial. It also eliminates the authority of animal control officers from rescuing abused and neglected animals. I urge you to vote no on this bill, whichever variation applies to you, if ever brought to the floor. The lives of these animals should not be kept in the hands of their abusers. 

The final bill is HB 2446, proposed by Rep. Ron Hicks of District 102 (St. Charles County), with its Senate counterpart being SB 980, proposed by Sen. Doug Beck of District 1 (Parts of St. Louis County). These acts provide that a person commits the offense of animal abuse when a person causes injury or suffering to a female dog or causes injury to the reproductive organs of a female dog, or during artificial insemination needlessly causes pain to a female dog. This legislation attempts to correct a professor at the College of Veterinary Medicine at the University of Missouri who has encouraged inhumane practices during the breeding of animals. I am urging you to vote yes on either variation of this bill, as it will protect the livelihood of female dogs and hold their abusers accountable. 

For the safety of all animals, I am urging you to vote against the first two mentioned bills and in support of the third. Thank you and have a wonderful day.