Koster
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (Legal Newsline) - Missouri Attorney General Chris Koster announced on Tuesday that he has shut down a Dallas County dog breeder for allegedly violating the state's Canine Cruelty Prevention Act and the Animal Care Facilities Act.
Koster's office obtained an injunction last month that prohibited Lori Goss from operating any dog breeding facility in the state for a period of 10 years. Goss operated A-Lick-A-Hope Kennels, a Conway-based commercial breeding facility.
The Missouri Department of Agriculture alleges multiple violations of state animal welfare laws. Goss allegedly failed to provide dry, clean bedding and rain- and wind-breaks to protect the dogs from the elements, failed to provide protective housing to protect the animals from injury, failed to provide sufficient veterinary care to animals that were in medical distress, failed to keep food containers clean and sanitized and to provide clean drinking water, failed to sanitize and clean the facility or to provide sufficient space for the dogs, and failed to collect and remove animal waste.
"We have an obligation to protect the well-being 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 continue to see that those laws are enforced."
The court also assessed ta $1,000 civil penalty and $100 to pay inspection fees and assessed all costs of the case to Goss.