Pet Sales To Be Banned in L.A?

By Dennis Romero Mon., Oct. 8 2012 at 9:06 AM

Alejandra Mavrovski / Flickr

A proposal that could be heard this month by the L.A. City Council would basically outlaw retail pet sales in Los Angeles, at least for three years.

The ordinance by Councilman Paul Koretz aims to ease overcrowding and the killing of unclaimed pets at city animal shelters. It would allow stores to sell pets obtained from shelters or registered "rescue" groups.

Of course, the pet store contingent isn't too happy:

Michael Canning, president of the Pet Industry Joint Advisory Council based in Washington, D.C., told the Daily Breeze that such a ban would have an opposite effect, making things worse for pets:

This will just drive people to sell their puppies on the Internet or some other unregulated way like the flea markets or out of their trunks on the street.

Here's the crux of the ordinance, as drawn up by the L.A. City Attorney's office:

It shall be unlawful for any person to sell any live dog, cat or rabbit in any pet store, retail business or other commercial establishment located in the City of Los Angeles, unless the dog, cat or rabbit was obtained from an animal shelter or a humane society located in the City of Los Angeles, or a non-profit rescue and humane organization registered with the Department of Animal Services.

Koretz told the Breeze that passing such a law would be a step toward having "no-kill" animal shelters in L.A.

Animal rights' advocates said that L.A. is such an influential city that if the ordinance passes other towns would follow suit with similar rules.

[@dennisjromero / djromero@laweekly.com / @LAWeeklyNews]

Tags:

Animal Services, animal shelters, dogs, Paul Koretz, pets

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tamaralynn64

This is another step in the right direction and I am all for it !!!!

mymontana444

This is LONG overdue. Michael Canning says " This will just drive people to sell their puppies on the Internet or some other unregulated way like the flea markets or out of their trunks on the street" . Uh, sorry to let him know this but these things are already happening. The fact that LA shuts the breeders out of pet stores won't have any impact or shortage of idiots selling dogs out of trunks or on the streets. What this law will do though, in my opinion, is make these breeders think twice about breeding that litter of puppies if they can't sell them. The reason they're taking them to the pet stores is for profit, well if you cut in on their profit, they make think twice about breeding. Aww, too bad, they might actually have to go out and get a real job!!

The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results: well my question to Society is this.... we allow dogs to be bred over and over and yet we tolerate the murder of dogs that we can't find homes for, this to me is one definition of insanity. It's time that laws be passed and our Government steps in.

shadream

@Luseefur @LAWeekly I agree :) Pets Bad. Slaves Good. Right Lou?

girlrede

1 Like

While it is true that some individuals may turn to the Internet to purchase puppies, we are hoping that most will instead turn to shelters and rescue groups to find their next pet. Over 70,000 animals are euthanized in Los Angeles city and county shelters every year -- at taxpayer expense. To continue importing puppies and kittens from mills in other states while we are killing the surplus that are already filling our shelters simply doesn't make sense. This is why 27 other cities have already passed similar ordinances to address the puppy and kitten mill crisis in their communities. It's time for L.A. to follow suit.