The Canine Cruelty Prevention Act, also known as Senate Bill 113, will take effect in Missouri Sunday adding additional requirements for dog breeders.

The bill changes the name of the Puppy Mill Cruelty Prevention Act (Proposition B) to the Canine Cruelty Prevention Act. It also modifies some of the act's definitions.

Currently the law prohibits anyone from having more than 50 dogs when their purpose is for breeding puppies to be sold. SB 113 eliminates this prohibition.

The bill states, "Additionally, the act creates the crime of canine cruelty, a Class C misdemeanor, which occurs when someone repeatedly violates the ACFA or Canine Cruelty Prevention Act in such a manner that poses a substantial risk to the health and welfare of animals in the person's custody or when someone violates an agreed-to remedial order involving the safety and welfare of the animals."

It will also become a Class A misdemeanor for anyone licensed (or required to have a license) under the ACFA to keep animals stacked in cages where there is no "impervious layer between cages, except if cleaning the cages."

Click here to read the bill summary.

You may remember back in April that Gov. Jay Nixon signed Senate Bill 113 as a revision of the original Proposition B that was approved by voters in November of 2010.

Centralmoinfo.com reported that the Humane Society of the United States opposed the bill, saying Proposition B should have been left intact.

Prop B was highly debated before it was voted upon in Missouri and part of the debate concentrated on the bill harming animal agriculture.  Click here to read more from KTVO in Kirksville.

We want to hear what you thingk! Post your comments on our Facebook page by clicking here!