Mo., Kan. 1-2 on 'puppy mill' list

Missouri held the top spot for alleged puppy mill offenders nationwide, and Kansas is second, according to the Humane Society of the United States.

The Human Society’s Horrible Hundred list of commercial dog breeders reportedly running puppy mill operations was released this month, and Missouri is home to 23. Kansas reportedly has 16 “problem dealers,” followed by Nebraska, 14, Iowa, 11, and Arkansas, seven, in the 35-page report.

The Humane Society defines a puppy mill as “a dog breeding operation, offering dogs for monetary compensation, in which the physical, psychological and/or behavioral needs of the dogs are not being fulfilled due to inadequate housing, shelter, staffing, nutrition, socialization, sanitation, exercise, veterinary care and/or inappropriate breeding.”

Among those identified on the list in Missouri are:
• Rachel, Virgel and Vickie Davis of   Davis Kennel in Seymour;

• Robert Osburn of Osburn’s Kennel in Joplin; and

• Carol Prothe, of Urbana.

In Kansas, Department of Agriculture officials told The Topeka Capital-Journal they review the Human Society’s list, but don’t put much stock in it.

Read more from The Topeka Capital-Journal.