Koster
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (Legal Newsline) - Missouri Attorney General Chris Koster announced on Thursday that his office has closed a Carter County dog breeder for allegedly violating the Animal Care Facilities Act.
Connie Nelson, the owner of Ellsinore-based C&N's Sunset Kennels, allegedly engaged in numerous violations of the ACFA uncovered by inspections by the Missouri Department of Agriculture. Under the terms of a consent judgment, Nelson must transfer all of the breeding dogs at her facility to ACFA-licensed and compliant facilities, rescue shelters or to the public.
"We want Missouri to be known as a state that raises animals in a humane environment and offers dogs from well-operated kennels to buyers across the country," Koster said.
Nelson allegedly failed to identify her dogs or keep records of their identification, maintain complete records of her dogs' disposition, give dogs solid resting surfaces in cages with elevated flooring, give her dogs potable water, provide veterinary care and operate with an ACFA license.
Under the terms of the consent judgment, Nelson is prohibited from applying to the Department of Agriculture for a permit to operate as a hobby show breeder, commercial breeder, exhibition facility, pet shop, contract kennel, commercial kennel, boarding kennel, pound or animal shelter. Additionally, Nelson must pay a civil penalty of $5,000, with $4,500 suspended on the condition that she does not violate the terms of the agreement for six years. Nelson must also pay court costs.