Missouri Tea Partiers, Joe The Plumber Join Movement Against 'Radical' Anti-Puppy Mill Legislation

[arisma]

Dog bites man or man bites dog?

A conservative group in Missouri is picking up the backing of the Tea Party and Joe The Plumber in its quest to stop the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) and other animal rights groups from passing "radical" anti-puppy mill legislation.

The measure, which can be read in full here, is called

Comments

[apocalypsos]

The society seeks only to raise the cost of breeding dogs, making it ever-more difficult for middle-class American families to be dog-owners."

IT'S CALLED THE FUCKING POUND OR SHELTER, YOU MISERABLE EVIL FUCKS.

Also, I can't have or afford a dog. Know what I have instead? A fucking menagerie. I'm up to a cat, two chinchillas, and a tarantula.

[arisma]

My thoughts exactly! I've had many dogs in my life and not a single one was gotten through a breeder.

(Also, never going to your house omgspider.)

[apocalypsos]

My mom is hooked on Siamese cats and gets her kittens from breeders, but if I could afford to get my own cat or dog -- the cat I have used to be hers and didn't get along with the rest of hers, so he came to my apartment -- I'd totally get one from a shelter.

(LOL, I just got the tarantula this weekend and that seems to be the majority response. :D Seriously, though, she hides in her hidey-hole most of the time and when I come anywhere near her she skitters away. She's the least scary giant spider ever.)

[arisma]

I don't disagree with responsible breeding. I have a couple cousins (different ones, my mom is the youngest of 9 so I have a bazillion) who breed dogs. It's not my personal preference but to each their own. I'm a big fan of mixed breed vigor, I'm guessing it's saved me a bundle in vet bills over the years.

(Logically, I'm not afraid of spiders. They're generally not that big and aren't deadly toxic. But OMG THE WAY THEY MOVE. Instant freak out. Just the thought of them. Ugh. Spiders and clowns, my two big phobias.)

[teacup_werewolf]

AWW SPIDERS <3 I love tarantulas. They are like fuzzy spiders <3

[arisma]

As long as they're nowhere near me (and omg please not on me) I'm cool with them.

[nikoel]

The problem with breeding is that a good number of purebred and "designer" bred dogs still wind up in the shelters. I personally don't think anyone should be breeding unless they are licensed to do so for the betterment of the breed (AKC approved, etc.)

[sixdemonhag]

We have tarantulas that come into the house sometime. They freak me out a bit, but because they are slow and sort of mellow I don't mind them too much. Easier to put in a jar and take outside than some lightning fast wolf spider. *shudder*

[carmy_w]

Yep; we bought our puppy on the spur of the moment (half price ad at a convenience store!), but when I was growing up, every dog we had was a drop-off (aka dumped).
The one animal that was dropped off that I would really like to have found out the culprit was a beautiful white, long-haired cat-who was declawed. Dumped out in the country to fend for itself, and I'm guessing it was because he was getting old, and someone couldn't pay the fee to have him put down, or taken to the pound.

[othellia]

Came here just to say this.

[grace_om]

Seriously. Not to mention that the purchase price of any pet is the least of the expenses. We have spend thousands over the years on vet care for our rescue dog (that we paid around a $250. donation for).

[arisma]

Our last dog was diabetic for the last six years of his life. The purchase price is SO the least of the expenses. He was free from a farm but still.

[sixdemonhag]

Over the years, I've had strays I've taken in, pups who were being given away outside the grocery store, dogs that somebody knew of that needed a home, and shelter dogs. No problem finding dogs here. Unless by dogs you mean iffy AKC Registered overbred animals with genetic problems who end up costing way more in the long run than a free mutt.

[ferlingmule]

I have a cat and one chinchilla but I want another one! They are the best!

[apocalypsos]

I can afford to get one. I can't afford to KEEP one. I live in an apartment -- I'm not even supposed to have the cat, but my mom okayed it with the landlord, who a friend of hers -- and I don't have to pay for the cat's expenses since my mom still buys his food and litter. Plus, I have two jobs, so I don't have the time to devote to a dog.