Senate Bill 1248 was a measure to make small changes to Arizona’s standing water laws. A “strike-everything” amendment introduced by Senator Don Shooter changed the bill into a proposal about pet store regulation and so-called puppy mills.
The bill would require pet sellers to get dogs and cats from breeders licensed by the United States Department of Agriculture.
It would also supersede more restrictive city ordinances in Tempe and Phoenix, which both prevent pet stores from getting dogs and cats from any commercial breeders. The owners of the pet store Puppies ‘N Love sued the City of Phoenix, but in July 2015, the U.S. District Court upheld the ordinance.
The “strike-everything” bill was approved Thursday in a House committee meeting. Senator Shooter met with stakeholders, including independent pet store owners, representatives from the Humane Society and officials from Tempe and Phoenix.
The Humane Society opposes the looser regulations, while the bill’s supporters argue the city ordinances unfairly target legitimate businesses.