Koster
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (Legal Newsline) ' Missouri Attorney General Chris Koster announced a lawsuit on Friday in cooperation with the Missouri Department of Agriculture against a dog breeder for violations of the Animal Care Facilities Act.
Cynthia Stump owns Stump Farms Puppies, a commercial dealer/breeder facility located in Lancaster, Mo. The law requires that such operations to have a valid ACFA license that must be renewed annually. Koster alleges that Stump had failed to renew her license and was selling dogs and operating the breeding facility unlawfully.
"We have an obligation to protect the wellbeing of animals and Missouri has recognized that obligation by passing laws outlining acceptable standards for pet breeders and commercial pet dealers," Koster said. "This office will diligently continue to see that those laws are enforced."
Koster is asking the court to issue a temporary restraining order and permanent injunction prohibiting Stump for further Animal Care Facilities Act violations. In addition, Koster is asking the court to issue a temporary restraining order prohibiting Stump from continuing to sell or breed animals until further order of the court. Koster is also seeking civil penalties and court costs.
Last week, Koster announced a consent judgment against the owner of Wolfgang's Puppies and Gee Gee's Yorkies, a Lawrence County, Mo., breeding facility. Koster has made cracking down on illegal dog breeders and sellers a priority in his office.