Koster
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (Legal Newsline) - Missouri Attorney General Chris Koster filed a lawsuit in cooperation with the Missouri Department of Agriculture on Thursday against a Morgan County dog breeder for allegedly violating animal care laws.
Lisa Oldendorf, the owner of the unlicensed commercial breeding facility Oldendorf Boxer in Barnett, allegedly engaged in multiple violations of the Canine Cruelty Prevention Act and the Animal Care Facilities Act.
The alleged violations include failure to provide an adequate drainage and waste disposal system in the sheltered kennel building, failure to identify her dogs or keep records of their identification, failure to maintain an effective program for controlling insects and rodents, failure to keep the ambient air temperature above 45 degrees, and failure to keep the concrete floors in the indoor and outdoor portion of the shelter impervious to moisture.
"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 continue to prosecute violations of those laws."
The lawsuit seeks injunctions and a temporary restraining order that prohibits Oldendorf from conducting commercial breeding activity until further order of the court and from engaging in any further violations of the Canine Cruelty Prevention Act or the Animal Care Facilities Act. The lawsuit also asks the court to assess a civil penalty of as much as $1,000 per violation of the Animal Care Facilities Act and for the defendant to pay court costs.
A hearing is scheduled on the matter on May 17 at the Morgan County Circuit Court.