Cocker rescued from puppy mill. Photo Humane Society of Missouri Lawrence County
Cocker spaniel breeder Linda Brisco, owner of Moser Kennel, was the first prosecuted under Missouri’s new [Puppy Mill] Canine Cruelty Prevention Act. The new law was also known as Proposition B approved by voters last year.
Brisco’s kennel was raided on June 28th for inhumane conditions she kept her dogs including failing to provide veterinary care for sick and injured dogs. State inspectors said they couldn’t see the kennel’s floor because it was covered with a thick layer of feces. Missouri Attorney General Chris Koster says Brisco routinely used a shotgun to euthanize her dogs.
Seventy-three dogs were taken from Brisco’s kennel including cocker spaniels, Labradors, and other breeds. They are receiving medical care at the Humane Society of Missouri Lawrence County. Kostner says she will be unable to breed dogs for six years in a judgement handed down by the court.
Many Missouri breeders opposed Proposition B including Joe Overlease, president of the Professional Kennel Club of Missouri, claiming it denies Americans their rights and “lowers animal care standards.” Overlease owns a large scale operation called C & J Cockers which was cited last year for overcrowding and inadequate shelter.
Attorney General Chris Koster wants to rid Missouri’s reputation as a puppy mill state. “It is our goal that Missouri will gain the reputation as the state with the best and most humane breeders in the country.”
I bought my cocker from joe overlease and it three years old and i haven’t had one single problem out of him hes cute lovable and very good with kids all jhe wants is loving so to make this stupid accuation about joe overlease is beyond me i/m sure things get hecket but when the day is done i’m sure all his pet are care for properly bob rippee
Evidently you haven’t seen what kind of facilities this guy has. He is a puppy miller BIG TIME. If you bought your pup over the internet, you have no idea. If you want photos of his cute little facility email me at laurasmk4u2@aol.com…..I’ll send them to you. You can see that these breeder dogs live in hulled out trailers with little cages. The flooring in these trailers are horrible. And the socialization of his breeder dogs are ZERO. I’ve been out to his place. He puts 3 males on to 1 female. Thanks for supporting his horrible business. This is what we are trying to clean up here in Missouri…..and your supporting it. As far as David….visitors are welcome as long as they stay in the little visitor’s shed, but don’t think about going in the back yard where all the dogs are and visit his 400 cockers and inadequate housing.
Not only have I visited the CJ Cockers facility, I also am the owner of 3 – yes three of the most loveable and gentle dogs that anyone could wish for that have been bred by Joe Overlease. His facilities are state of the art for breeding and raising puppies. It is ridiculous to think that there is inadequete shelter since there are several very large heated and cooled buildings to house the puppies along with an outdoor run. Joe has said that visitors are welcome, so I visited and was impressed.
I have a black cocker spaniel that I got from C&J Cockers almost 8 years ago. She was just 8 weeks old when I got her. She has had problems with her ears, as cockers do, and she has 2 cherry eyes. I do want to say, that she is the sweetest dog. We love her to pieces! Everyone that has met her throughout her life, say that she has the sweetest, best tempermant that they have ever seen in a cocker spaniel. I don’t know what has been happening with C&J Cockers and all the puppy mill stuff that I have read about, but I want to say that when I was conversing with Joe over the computer for several months before I got my cocker spaniel puppy, he was very kind and helpful in helping me to get the puppy that I was dreaming of. He welcomed me to visit his kennel, but I was not able to travel the distance at that time. I have been so happy with my “Muffy”. She really is the sweetest little dog, who has brought so much happiness into our lives! I would not hesitate in getting another puppy from C&J Cockers. Very happy cocker spaniel owner
I have purchased 2 cockers from C & J and I would NEVER recommend them to someone wanting a dog. Joe was not honest with us and actually sent us a different pup than what we paid for. We were very angry but could not bring ourselves to ship this poor animal back across the country to exchange for the one we purchased. He is not a good man, in my opinion.
No further testimonials will be accepted for this breeder.