Written by Peter McIntyre 107.5 KISSFM Tuesday, 29 January 2013 16:20
Vernon council will take a couple weeks before it debates a request to ban the retail sale of cats and dogs from breeding mills. Animal advocates say a ban would help curtail the inhumane treatment of animals, while pet store owners say only a small portion of sales come from stores, with much more online. Mayor Rob Sawatzky says he's not sure if a bylaw -- or requiring puppy breeders to get a license -- will do much. "It seems that the worst offenders don't bother with licensing, and they're transitory. They move whenever they're approached about being licensed and investigated," Sawatzky tells Kiss FM. Pet store owner Lisa Badach of A-J's Pets and Things presented a 200 name petition to council Monday, of people opposed to a retail ban. "As for puppy mills, have we supported them? We're probably more of a nuisance to a puppy mill than anything." She says her store only sold three puppies in 2012, none from puppy mills. Councillor Patrick Nicol doesn't see a ban at pet stores as a solution. "In a nutshell, you're responsible, and it would be wrong to ban them?" asked Nicol. "For this city, yes absolutely, I don't think it's necessary, "said Badach. Badach supports legislation to require the licensing and inspection of breeding operations by law enforcement personnel.
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