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LEGAL NEWSLINE

Thursday, March 28, 2024

Mo. AG obtains orders against dog breeder, contractor

Koster

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (Legal Newsline) - Missouri Attorney General Chris Koster announced the obtainment of a restraining order against a Howell County dog breeder on Monday and a court order requiring payment against a Joplin contractor on Friday.

Dana Durnell, the owner of Rockin' D Corgis, a Willow Springs-based breeding facility, allegedly violated the Canine Cruelty Prevention Act and the Animal Care Facilities Act. Koster filed a lawsuit against Durnell after inspections by the Missouri Department of Agriculture revealed multiple alleged violations.

Durnell allegedly operated her facility without an ACFA license, failed to keep complete and correct records of dogs on hand, failed to provide a wind and rain break on five of the facility's outdoor housing structures, failed to remove excess feces from her dog pens and failed to provide her dogs with continuous access to potable water.

The Howell County Circuit Court issued a temporary restraining order against Durnell on Friday and Durnell agreed to stop selling and breeding dogs until the court could come to a decision. Koster seeks a civil penalty of up to $1,000 per violation of the Animal Care Facilities Act along with court costs.

"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."

William Pittman, a contractor based out of Owasso, Okla., who did business as Precision Contracting and Roofing and CWRP LLC, allegedly accepted payments from homeowners in Joplin to repair their homes but failed to finish the work.

Under the terms of the settlement with Pittman, Pittman must pay a $2,000 penalty to the state and $4,500 in restitution to consumers who were harmed. Koster will hold Pittman accountable for any consumer who files a complaint during the next 60 days. Pittman must also comply with state consumer laws and all local and state license and registration requirements.

"The attorney general's office takes very seriously the work to rebuild Joplin," Koster said. "We will continue to prosecute anyone who tries to take advantage of our citizens."

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