Do what’s right; don’t repeal puppy mill ban

In response to the cruelty inherent in the puppy mill industry, nearly 220 cities and counties across the nation have banned the sale of puppy mill puppies in pet stores. Plantation is among dozens of localities in Florida that have chosen to protect both puppies and consumers by banning the sale of commercially bred puppies in their communities.

But now some members of Plantation’s city council are threatening to repeal the ban, possibly at the next city council meeting on Wednesday (It starts at 7:30 p.m.). This reversal would put the interests of the puppy mill pet store supply chain above those of residents and other consumers at risk of falling victim to deceptive sales models that can lead to consumers unknowingly bringing sick pets into their homes.

It is hard to guess what would motivate Plantation officials to propose this repeal, but it was likely prompted by the desire to protect the interests of those who profit from the cruel puppy mill industry. People expect their government to protect animals and consumers — not corporate interests — as evidenced by the unrelenting public outcry in recent weeks after the USDA removed vital animal welfare inspection reports from their website. This move by some on Plantation’s city council will no doubt be met with similar resistance.

If the city repeals its ordinance, pet stores that refuse to follow the more humane model that has been successful in pet stores across the country — one that focuses on selling quality products and offering popular services — will once again profit from the sale of inhumanely bred puppies. Under the current ordinance, pet stores in Plantation could partner with local shelters and rescues, as the largest and most successful chains in the nation do. Instead, pet stores are asking the council to protect their outdated and socially unacceptable model.

In addition, the city risks rewarding those who violate the law. According to a Sun Sentinel report on Feb. 9, the sole puppy-selling pet store in Plantation is allegedly operating in violation of the city’s pet store law, “racking up code enforcement fines of $125 a day since October.” It is hard to imagine why the city would consider rewarding a business that has been accused of a blatant disregard for the law by repealing the very law the business is accused of violating.

Should Plantation council members repeal the pet store ordinance, they will inevitably find themselves taking up this issue again. This is precisely what happened in Carlsbad, Calif. The Carlsbad council repealed a similar ordinance in 2013, only to reinstate it in 2016. Plantation should learn from Carlsbad’s mistake and let the current ordinance stand. We urge the council to do what is right for their constituents. The right decision was made when the council passed the ordinance in the first place. Reversing that decision would be detrimental to consumers and animals, and set a dangerous precedent.

Kate MacFall is the Florida state director for The Humane Society of the United States. Jen Hobgood is director of state legislation for the ASPCA Southeast Region Government Relations.

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Hobgood