The Missouri attorney general and agriculture director are joining together to further crackdown on unlicensed dog breeders. 

When Agriculture Director Jon Hagler and Governor Jay Nixon launched "Operation Bark Alert" in February of this year they said there would only be three categories of breeders: exceptional, licensed breeders; good, licensed breeders trying to become exceptional; and those who are out of business for good. 

Missouri is trying to shed its reputation for being the "puppy mill" capital of America and agriculture director Jon Hagler has pledged to do more to crack down on bad breeders.

Attorney General Chris Koster said, "We're not trying to put people behind bars, we're just trying to get people to clean up their act." 

"It's terrible. The first puppy mill bust that I went on was about five months into starting this position at the Central Missouri Humane Society. It was heart-wrenching for me," said Taylor. "But it definitely gives you the power and inspiration every day to do your job better. There are lives out there that depend on us doing a good job."