Politics & Government

Ban on Sales From Puppy Mills to Be Weighed by City Panel

Measure would outlaw the sale of commercially bred dogs, cats and rabbits in the city.

Los Angeles City Councilman introduced a motion Friday that would ban pet stores and individuals from selling animals born at puppy, kitten and rabbit mills.

Koretz's field deputy, Jeff Ebenstein, said the motion would go to the City Council's Public Safety Committee for review.

Koretz, who represents Encino, said he wants to ease the city's animal overpopulation problem by going after large-scale breeding operations with inbreeding, overcrowding and substandard conditions.

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"With thousands of dogs, cats and rabbits euthanized in the city’s animal shelters annually, there is growing sentiment in Los Angeles to find ways to break the link between the mills and pet shops," Koretz said.

The motion asks various agencies, including the Los Angeles Police Department and the city attorney's office, to study the feasibility of making it illegal for stores to sell animals from puppy mills. His initiative also calls for the Department of Animal Services to work with licensed pet stores to make shelter animals available for adoption.

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"By adopting and implementing this law, we will greatly diminish the role of puppy mills, get animals adopted, reduce the burden on the city and create a more humane L.A.,” according to a draft of Koretz's speech.


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