Laws for Paws e-Newsletter
AUGUST 2021
ATTORNEY GENERAL ERIC SCHMITT OBTAINS SEARCH WARRANT FOR PUPPY MILL
21 Dogs Rescued from Deplorable Conditions
A licensed dog breeder in McDonald County, Andre Damrill, refused to allow the Missouri Department of Agriculture (MDA) to inspect her breeding operation for over a year. Fortunately, Attorney General Schmitt stepped in and obtained a search warrant to allow MDA and the Humane Society of Missouri (HSMO) to enter the property and rescue the dogs. Attorney General Schmitt stated that “For the breeders who don’t comply with the law and operate substandard or noncompliant facilities, my Office is ready, willing, and able to take action to shut those breeders down.”
 
According to the Humane Society of Missouri, the conditions discovered were horrendous, and the dogs were in poor health. “These dogs have been living in horrific conditions; the breeder’s neglect is inhumane and utterly reprehensible,” said Kathy Warnick, president of the HSMO. A total of 21 dogs were rescued, but unfortunately, seven dogs had already died, including one who died shortly after the raid.

Fortunately, Missouri’s disposition process for abused and neglected animals was instrumental in quickly gaining permanent possession of these animals. When a disposition hearing was scheduled, the defendant immediately agreed to permanently surrender her animals rather than face her day in Court.

Missouri law is unique in that it requires a disposition hearing for abused and neglected animals within 30 days of seizure. This allows these animals to be quickly adopted into a loving home rather than have to remain in an animal shelter for many months or even over a year while they await the conclusion of a criminal trial.
Due to the Disposition Process, this dog and others can quickly go into a loving home
In 1994, the Alliance worked extremely hard to pass the law to create the disposition process. This law has been highly successful over the years. It has enabled thousands of animals to be permanently removed from neglectful and abusive situations and expeditiously placed into a loving permanent home. It has been so successful that groups representing the worst in their industries, such as puppy millers and other agricultural trade groups, have worked extremely hard to convince the Missouri Legislature to repeal the disposition process. This year a bill that would have overturned the disposition process passed the House of Representatives, but the Alliance was able to defeat this legislation in the Senate. We could not have accomplished this without your help. The Alliance’s Alert generated numerous phone calls and emails to Missouri legislators. 

Your efforts truly make a difference as you can witness from the results of this raid and the swift surrendering of these poor animals enabling them to be rehabilitated and quickly find a loving home.

Your phone calls, emails, and letters do make a difference. 
USDA TEACHES PUPPY MILLERS HOW TO WRITE OFF THEIR EXPENSES AND TO IGNORE NOTICES FROM THE IRS
USDA Invites Tax Accountant to the Canine Care Workshop
The U. S. Department of Agriculture sponsored its annual Canine Care Workshop for licensed dog breeders this past month. USDA and MDA initiated the Canine Care Workshops several years ago in an effort to improve the care of dogs in commercial breeding facilities. The workshops were also intended to improve the reputation of the industry which has long been plagued by numerous substandard dog breeders, as demonstrated by the frequent raids of puppy mills across the state, including the recent one in McDonald County.
 
Instead of solely focusing on animal care and instructing breeders on how to care for their animals, this year USDA invited a tax accountant to speak to the breeders and explain how to pay the least amount of taxes. The breeders learned creative ways to deduct business expenses including deducting fees for manicures from a salon. It was explained that if you hold your dog in your hands for a photo for your website, then you could deduct the manicure as a business expense. The accountant even informed the breeders that President Biden would make the dog breeders pay for all of his spending bills, and he was going to assess additional taxes upon dog breeders.
Dog breeders informed that they could write off manicures
(Photo is from the speaker’s tax business Facebook page.)

Shockingly, the accountant advised the breeders to ignore notices from the IRS informing the breeder of underpayment of taxes or penalties that are due to the IRS. She alleged that the IRS is sending out such notices to help pay for Biden’s extravagant spending programs.
 
Breeders were also reminded to include the costs of care for any dead puppies that they cannot sell as an expense. Instead of instructing the breeders on how to properly care for their animals, which was the purpose of the Canine Care Workshop, the tax accountant repeatedly reminded the breeders that dogs are inventory and are assets. Such a message was directly opposite to the intent of the workshop which was to instill a caring attitude into the breeders towards their dogs and to improve the welfare of the animals in breeding operations.  
 
USDA has yet to respond to the Alliance’s request for an explanation on why the USDA is encouraging dog breeders to ignore notices by the IRS and instructing breeders to refuse to make requested payments to the IRS. 
Thank You, Volunteers!
Thank you to our wonderful volunteers for making Pool Paws such a successful event! We are always looking for more volunteers across the state, so no matter where you are in Missouri, send us an email if you'd like to be added to our volunteer list!

We have more Pool Paws dates upcoming in September in the St. Louis region. You can learn about them here.

Not in the St. Louis region and want a Pool Paws in your area? We would love for you to contact your local pool and ask if they would be interested in partnering with us!

Wishing you all a fun and safe rest of summer.
Remember the Alliance in Your Estate Planning
Leaving money to the Alliance through your will or trust is a profound way to create a legacy of compassion and ensure positive change for animals. An even easier way is to name the Alliance as the beneficiary of an IRA or other retirement plan. In any event, we are grateful to be considered as a beneficiary of your overall estate plans. Want to learn more? Email us!
HELPING ANIMALS!

If you find yourself in a situation where you question the treatment of an animal, or the conditions, or maybe you're wondering about helping wildlife or assisting in a rescue, or you have witnessed something that needs to be reported - go to our website because chances are you will find a number and/or a link that can help address it.
A Great Way to Support the Alliance
With so many people shopping online these days, you can now support the Alliance each time you make a purchase on Amazon. Click here or on the icon. Once you've identified "Missouri Alliance for Animals" as your charitable organization of choice, a portion of your purchase will be donated by Amazon to the Alliance each time you shop on Amazon! What a great way to contribute!