State Wins Court Order Against Phelps County Dog Breeder

(KTTS News) — The Missouri Attorney General has obtained a judgment against the owner of a Phelps County dog business for violating state standards for licensed commercial dog breeders.

In the judgment, a court ruled that Sandra Kozlowski, the owner of Sho-Me Labradors, defied a previous consent judgment issued in May of 2020 for failure to comply with state law governing commercial dog breeders.

The Missouri Humane Society recently rescued nearly 100 dogs from her property.

Attorney General Andrew Bailey says Kozlowski was ordered to pay $5,000 in fines and give up control of the dogs.

She’s also been banned from advertising the sale of dogs from Show-Me Labradors.

Press Release

Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey announced today that his office obtained a judgment against Phelps County business owner of Sho-Me Labradors, Sandra Kozlowski, for violating state standards for licensed commercial dog breeders.

“As Attorney General, I will hold accountable those who put Missouri dogs in egregious situations, no matter how long it takes,” said Attorney General Bailey. “My office will continue to use every tool at its disposal to uphold the standards for Missouri’s dog breeders as required by law.”

In the judgment, the Court ruled that Kozlowski defied a previous consent judgment issued in May of 2020 for failure to comply with state law governing commercial dog breeders. 

Specifically, Kozlowski violated the law by:

• keeping too many dogs,
• letting her breeder’s license lapse,
• failing to provide dogs with fresh water or access to the outdoors.

Even more disturbing, Kozlowski was keeping dogs in cages with an appalling lack of space like wire style and airline style pet crates without unfettered access to the outdoors.

Under the order, Ms. Kozlowski must pay the $5,000.00 of suspended penalties from the original judgment and relinquish ownership of all remaining dogs, but for the 10 dogs specified in the Judgment and Order to the State of Missouri to be transferred to the Humane Society of Missouri.

Additionally, she is banned from advertising the sale of dogs from Sho-Me Labs, with few exceptions.

On January 9, 2024, the Missouri Department of Agriculture seized 96 dogs that were taken to St. Louis where a number of veterinarians are evaluating the dogs.

The judgment can be read here: https://ago.mo.gov/wp-content/uploads/Executed_Judgment-and-Order_MDA-v.-Kozlowski_01-04-2024.pdf