By BETSY COHEN of the Missoulian

Missoula veterinarian Patti Prato visits with her dogs last week at her clinic. She brings the dogs to work with her during the day where they enjoy their own room in the clinic. “We would like to see dogs exercised, socialized to other dogs and people, and have guaranteed that their accommodations are adequate - that they aren't living in sweltering heat or frigid cold,” says Prato, describing her effort to have the Montana Legislature pass a Montana Cause for Paws bill. Photo by KURT WILSON/Missoulian

Call them what you will: puppy mills or irresponsible commercial breeders.

By either definition, these businesses are an unsavory side of American culture that a handful of Missoula-area residents hope to quash in Montana.

Spearheaded by veterinarian Patti Prato and pastry chef Margaret Ambrose-Barton, the organization called Montana Cause for Paws hopes the 2009 Legislature rallies behind their effort.
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If it doesn't, there will be grave consequences, Ambrose-Barton said. As other states work diligently to tighten laws regarding these businesses, Montana's archaic legislation will make this state a haven for breeders who are forced to shut down in other parts of the country.

Montana is already experiencing some strain, Ambrose-Barton said. Most recently came the case of a Billings area breeder who faces allegations in Yellowstone County court of extreme overcrowding in her kennel of 199 dogs - mostly English shepherds - and severe animal neglect.

Near Missoula, transplanted Midwesterners have a large-scale breeding operation that has produced and sold sick and deformed dogs to customers, prompting concerned veterinarians to step forward and file complaints with the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

“There is evidence that some of the bad actors in puppy mills in Montana have come from other states,” said Dave McAlpin, who represents Missoula's House District 94 and is sponsoring the Missoula women's so-called “puppy mill bill,” which is now being drafted.

McAlpin, who sponsored a similar Montana Cause for Paws bill that failed in the 2007 Legislature, is eager to keep the issue alive.

“I became involved with this when I saw pictures of a local puppy mill,” McAlpin said. “They were pictures of dogs sold by this kennel, and these dogs were ill and obviously maltreated.

“Sometimes it takes that visual aspect to make you aware of a problem like this - and I saw the problem.”

Since the last legislative session, numerous neglect cases have come to light statewide, demonstrating to legislators a need for increased regulation, McAlpin said.

“Sometimes issues take one or two or three sessions to mature to the point that legislators understand the problem that needs to be addressed,” he said. “I think this problem is now one people understand.”

Although the finer details are still being worked out, Prato said the heart of the bill is clear and simple: prevent the canine misery that happens at these places.