The Missouri Department of Agriculture has initiated a program that will act as a "crackdown" on unlicensed breeders in Missouri: Operation Bark Alert.

By going online to www.barkalert.mo.gov, Missouri residents can report unlicensed breeders to Jon Hagler, director of the agriculture department. Thus far, the program has helped to locate more than 200 unlicensed breeders across the state and rescued nearly 1,900 dogs.

Gov. Jay Nixon explained that the program was created to address the need for stronger enforcement of laws and regulations for dog breeders in the state.

"It was clear to me that enough emphasis had not been placed in the past on ensuring that the rules regarding licensing, breeders, the industry standards, that there had not been enough effort to make sure those standards were followed," Gov. Nixon said during a press conference April 8.

In early April, the program helped to recover more than 100 dogs that were removed from an illegal "puppy mill" in Daviess County. The property housed another 100 animals needing medical care, including cats and eight primates.

On Monday, Dr. Hagler announced the second phase of the program, "Prosecution Bark Alert," which will use the top law enforcement authority of Missouri to stop unlicensed and substandard dog breeders from operating in the state.

For the first time, the agriculture department and the Attorney General's Office have teamed together to take legal action against unlicensed breeders and end Missouri's reign as a "puppy mill" capital.

"Since Operation Bark Alert was announced in February, my office has taken legal action against several unregistered breeders who were raided by the Department of Agriculture, rescue groups in Missouri and local law enforcement officials," said Attorney General Chris Koster. "We plan to file against irresponsible breeders and require they comply with the law or shut their doors."

Dr. Hagler stresses the importance of this program, saying that unlicensed breeders put licensed breeding professionals at a competitive disadvantage.

"We want unlicensed breeders to know that in the days and weeks ahead, they will begin to face increasing pressure as we add more bite to Bark Alert," he said. "One way or another, they are going to get the message that substandard, unlicensed facilities are not welcome in Missouri."

Both Dr. Hagler and Mr. Koster will visit St. Joseph today to speak more about Operation Bark Alert at the Buchanan County Courthouse at 9:30 a.m.