BurbankNBeyond: can you give us an overview on your position regarding the sale of commercially-bred puppies in Burbank?
Councilman David Gordon: Well I have done quite a bit of research since this whole issue came up. As far as I can understand, there is no disagreement with me as far as, in any legal way, to put an end to the so called puppy mills. And I think we need a good definition of that.
If any breeder, if in the process of breeding these animals involves having (them) subjected to harm, or unsafe conditions, unhealthy conditions, we don’t think any reasonable person would oppose (shutting them down), I wouldn’t oppose that.
The concern I have is the approach being taken, and I can just give a few things that I’ve learned.
First of all if they should ban the pet stores, what it’s going to do is drive the sales of dogs underground. It does nothing to improve the welfare of pets whatsoever. It doesn’t impact the puppy mills, whatever the definition is. Because the non-pet stores that are not regulated will obtain the dogs directly from puppy mills. There is no obligation to reveal, and no obligation that has any impact on the puppy mills..
↧
