UPDATE: JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – Missouri Attorney General Eric Schmitt has announced that dog breeder Marlisa McAlmond of Cedar Ridge Australians in Oregon County was found in criminal contempt of a court order. The order was entered earlier this month. Attorney General Schmitt previously filed an application for an order to show cause and a 24 count criminal complaint against McAlmond. This order is separate from the criminal case against McAlmond.
“Working to hold substandard breeders accountable for their actions is an important duty of this office, and one that I’ve taken seriously,” said Attorney General Schmitt. “While this is a win for our office, there’s still more work to be done in this case.”
The order, which was signed and entered by an Oregon County judge earlier in December, finds McAlmond in indirect criminal contempt for euthanizing 21 otherwise healthy dogs and for not holding a breeder license. The order can be found here: https://ago.mo.gov/docs/default-source/press-releases/mcalmond-contempt-order.pdf?sfvrsn=6abc5616_2
Evidence provided by the State during proceedings established that McAlmond had 21 dogs euthanized between that date that the court order was established on September 8, 2020 and September 22, 2020, the date that McAlmond was supposed to surrender those dogs to the state. According to the order, a veterinarian working for the Missouri Department of Agriculture examined the dogs on August 11, 2020. In her testimony, she stated that only a couple dogs were thin, one puppy was in distress, and none were disabled. In addition, she stated she saw no reason for the dogs to be euthanized.
Based on the evidence and testimony, the judge found McAlmond in indirect criminal contempt for euthanizing 21 dogs. The order states, “the court finds, beyond a reasonable doubt, that Respondent had these dogs euthanized in order to prevent their being taken into the custody of movant.”
Additionally, the order found McAlmond in indirect criminal contempt for failing to register and obtain licensure to be a hobby/show breeder.
Under the order, McAlmond is required to spend 30 days in jail, 28 of which are suspended upon the completion of 200 hours of community service.
The order also requires McAlmond designate three dogs to retain and surrender the remaining 17 dogs to the state. The Humane Society of Missouri rescued the remaining 17 dogs, and they remain in the Humane Society of Missouri’s care.
The criminal case against McAlmond is still pending.
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Tuesday, the Humane Society of Missouri’s (HSMO) Animal Cruelty Task Force (ACT) removed 17 dogs from the residence of an unlicensed breeder and repeat offender in Oregon County, Missouri.
The dogs rescued from the property are mostly medium-to-large breeds, mainly Australian Shepherds, Australian Terriers and other designer mixes, that have been living in chronic substandard conditions for long periods of time. The dogs are being taken to HSMO’s Macklind Ave. location in St. Louis where they will receive professional and compassionate veterinary care and rehabilitation. As the animals recover and are deemed healthy, HSMO hopes to make as many as possible available for adoption.
“This is truly a horrendous case of animal cruelty, and the work that the Missouri Department of Agriculture and the Missouri Attorney General’s office has done to help us secure these animals has been nothing short of outstanding,” said Kathy Warnick, president of the Humane Society of Missouri. “These putrid, inhumane conditions are a sad reality for many animals in the possession of an irresponsible breeder and we’ll continue to fight for, rescue and rehabilitate these abused animals, while promoting animal welfare legislation in our community.”
The unlicensed breeder was first brought to the attention of HSMO by the Missouri Department of Agriculture (MDA). According to court documents, the breeder agreed to give up custody of more than 80 dogs; however, shortly before MDA arrived to claim the dogs at the property, the breeder had already transferred 60 dogs to third parties and euthanized 21. Today’s rescue will leave the breeder with three dogs left in their possession.
To report an animal who may be in danger or is suffering from neglect or abuse, call your local law enforcement agency and the Humane Society of Missouri Animal Cruelty Hotline at (314) 647-4400.
