ST. LOUIS (KMOX) - Missouri has more than triple the amount of puppy mills than any other state in the U.S., according to the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) and took the top spot for the eighth year in a row on its “Horrible Hundred” report.
The list names 30 problematic puppy breeding and/or puppy brokering facilities in Missouri. The annual report is meant to bring awareness of the cruel conditions that animals are subject to by some by breeding operations that focus on profit over animal welfare.
Some of the biggest offenders in Missouri, according to HSUS include:
- Corey Mincey of Puppy Love Kennel in Elkland has dodged 35 state inspections and was repeatedly found with sickly and gaunt dogs she is currently being sued by the state attorney general, but meanwhile she’s still offering puppies for sale online.
- Marlisa McAlmond of Cedar Ridge Australians in Alton breeder had dogs who were found severely emaciated with their ribs and spines showing; she has also been sued by the state attorney general and the case is pending, but she’s still offering puppies for sale.
- TLC Kennels in Sturgeon had dogs out in the cold with only blue barrels for shelter. It failed several state inspections, but the USDA didn’t cite it for anything.
Missouri is followed on the list by Ohio with nine listed offenders, and Kansas and Wisconsin tie for third with eight mills each. The image at the top of this page is of a dog from Cedar Ridge Australians in Alton, found by inspectors to be "underweight and ailing" and its owner were sued by the state, according to HSUS.
Since the annual reports began in 2012, Missouri has topped the list each year. Illinois has two facilities on this year's list: Kabeara Kennels in Lockport and Double R Aussiedoodles in Stonefort.
You can see the full list of offenders in the report, here: