The owner of a dog breeding operation in Salem, Missouri, won't be allowed to pursue a defamation claim against the Humane Society of the United States, the Missouri Supreme Court ruled today.Mary Ann Smith's kennel was dubbed one of the "Dirty Dozen" and one of "the worst puppy mills in Missouri" in a 2010 report issued by the Humane Society, part of its effort to persuade voters to limit dog breeding in the state. Voters said yes to the measure, titled Prop B, in November 2010.
But Smith sued for defamation, false light and invasion of privacy, pointing to the report and ancillary press releases that called out her operation.…