A city of Dallas ordinance that bans the sale of puppies and kittens in pet stores went into effect Friday, leading at least one shop to shut its doors.
The ordinance carries a penalty of up to $500 for violations and passed with an 11-0 vote, with four council members abstaining or absent, as reported by The Dallas Express. The rule is intended to curb the existence of puppy mills but established pet stores claim it has far-reaching side effects.
After 14 years of business, Petland’s North Dallas location is set to close on November 20 in response to the council’s decision.
Hugo Morales, an employee of the pet store, shared his thoughts about the new ordinance with The Dallas Express.
“It’s unfortunate and feels a little targeted because we were the only store in Dallas to do that,” Morales said. “The employees here were like family and now have to find a different place to work. No one ever wants that.”
“There’s a lot of scams on the internet, and this place, you can come in play with your puppies, be able to find the right one for you, but now there’s no place in Dallas for that anymore,” he continued.
The franchise said the Petland store in North Dallas had to lay off 30 employees.
“Our family and employees are truly heartbroken over this,” owner Jay Suk said in a written statement. “We worked very hard to provide happy and healthy pets to the community we serve. We know that pets are a part of the family, and we have always treated them as such.”
Dallas has become the most recent major city in Texas to enact this type of regulation, joining five states and more than 400 localities, according to the Humane Society of the United States.
Animal advocates have celebrated the rule. The ordinance had been in the works for the better part of a year according to Lauren Loney, the Texas state director for the Humane Society.
“But that’s just the tip of the iceberg,” Loney said. “All the legwork and all the years of building up support for this … has been going on for a very long time.”
John Goodwin, senior director of the Humane Society of the United States, similarly told The Dallas Express, “Dallas City Council struck a blow against puppy mill cruelty when they passed the humane pet store ordinance. Every pet store puppy has a mom, and she is usually locked in a barren cage in a midwestern puppy mill.”
“We are now urging the state legislature to take this statewide and make Texas a leader in efforts to protect all dogs from the miserable conditions in puppy mills,” he concluded.
Other organizations like the American Kennel Club had voiced opposition to the ordinance during the debate prior to its adoption.
The group suggested that it would limit pet choice and certain consumer protections for individuals and families seeking a dog that matches their lifestyle, as previously reported by The Dallas Express.
Illinois now has a law that puppies and cats from shelters and rescues may be displayed at pet stores in place of mill animals. This still allows families to come look at pets.