Wikicommons
Feb. 23, 2018 By Tara Law
Pet store owners would be prohibited from selling dogs and cats that have come from puppy mills should a senate bill introduced by Mike Gianaris (D-Astoria) become law.
The legislation, introduced in the state senate on Feb. 9, would only allow stores to sell dogs and cats that have come from bona fide rescue agencies or shelters.
The legislation does not have a sponsor in the State Assembly at this time, although one is expected.
Pet stores would be limited as to the amount they could charge consumers for the dogs and cats. The limit would be about the same as the adoption fees normally charged by the shelters.
The bill aims to put puppy mills and breeding farms out of business, since they would have no end buyers.
Pets at puppy mills are often confined to dirty cages. Female pets are bred over and over again often producing unhealthy puppies and kittens, critics say.
“These animals are often mistreated from the moment of birth and are afflicted with serious health problems throughout their lives,” Gianaris’ bill says of puppy mills.
Mike Gianaris
“While our animal shelters house perfectly healthy and adoptable animals, they struggle to compete with designer animals bred by puppy mills. This proposal would end the cruelty that these animals face, and find homes for deserving, healthy and loving animals.”
Pet stores that violate the law would be at risk of having their pet dealing license denied, suspended or revoked.
The law would exclude breeders that sell fewer than 25 animals that were born and raised in their residence directly to the pet buyer.
