The Arizona Legislature has passed a measure that would prevent cities from regulating the sale of commercially bred cats and dogs. The bill would override exiting ordinances in Phoenix and Tempe, as well as a proposed ordinance in Tucson, that requires pet stores to only sell rescue and shelter animals.
The proposal, which was sent to Gov. Doug Ducey, sets standards for allowing commercial breeders to sell their animals in pet stores.
Dale Bartlett is with the U.S. Humane Society. He testified that his organization opposed the bill, which he described as “anemic.” Bartlett said before the hearing was even over, the bill’s sponsor said that "the bill was going to pass and we would not be able to stop it and that the best course of action would be to sit down at the table and try to get some concessions or we’d get nothing at all.”
So they did. Now, a pet store must post the name of the breeder and their and U.S. Department of Agriculture license number on each cage. Another provision increases the penalties for violators.
“They extracted some concessions from the pet store owners. They're happy with the concessions. They would love to go far farther than that. But they realize that this is the best that they can do," said Sen. John Kavanagh.
Bartlett describes Kavanagh as a great champion of animals, but said he was not in a position to oppose the measure. Bartlett said, as passed, this bill is one of the strongest laws in the nation when it comes to puppy mills; on the other hand, he believes cities should be allowed to enact ordinances that best serve their residents and their pets.
