The state of Missouri will come down hard on unlicensed dog breeders. Operation “Bark Alert” is the second phase of Missouri's effort to stop substandard breeders from doing business in the state. Missouri, estimated to have over 4,000 high-volume dog-breeding businesses, has been identified as the “puppy mill capital of the U.S. “

But the “show-me” state is trying to shed that reputation, and Agriculture Director Jon Hagler announced Operation Bark Alert, which allows people to report unlicensed breeders directly to him by e-mail. On Monday, he said that effort had identified more than 200 unlicensed breeders now under investigation. They were reported by neighbors, puppy purchasers and others. Hagler says the next phase will let authorities prosecute breeders who refuse to clean up their act by getting a license and meet state standards.  Attorney General Chris Koster has assigned an attorney to work with agriculture inspectors to prosecute substandard and unlicensed breeders, who will be shut down if they refuse to meet state standards.

Agriculture inspector Matt Rold said operators who voluntarily shut down can recoup their losses by selling their animals at auction. Critics say this only means the puppies will be snapped up by other unscrupulous dealers at fire sale prices. However, Rold says a new state policy requires animals surrendered as part of a state shutdown to be turned over to the Humane Society of Missouri or other credible rescue groups for adoption,. Operators must agree in writing not to resume operations for another five years. Breeders who willfully operate without a license face penalties of $1,000 per violation or each dog sold. The state also will work with counties to prosecute cases of animal abuse