WASHINGTON – A bill banning retailers from selling dogs and聽cats in Montgomery County is headed to the full council for consideration.
A Montgomery County Council committee voted in support of the measure Thursday afternoon.
The bill is tentatively scheduled for a full vote by the County Council on March 3.
During a public hearing last week, pet owners, retailers, breeders and animal welfare advocates testified for and against the bill.
Among those opposing the bill is Mitchell Thompson. He owns Just Puppies, a Rockville retailer and the lone pet store in the county that sells dogs and cats. Although the county bill would not apply to incorporated cities, a Rockville councilwoman has indicated interest in pursuing similar legislation there.
Thompson told a council committee that his business cares about puppies, a comment that generated grumbling from supporters of the bill.
鈥淜ennels are inspected from the USDA and state on a regular basis. Vet care and teeth cleaning is mandatory on every animal,” he said to defend his business.
Thompson told the council committee he buys his puppies from 30 different kennels, most in Missouri. He said he鈥檇 recently taken a trip there to talk to an inspector.
But several former Just Puppies employees testified in favor of the bill during last week’s hearing.
David Beye told the council committee: 鈥淲hile working at Just Puppies, we would get many dogs from these breeders that had clearly not had proper medical care. Many had underlying genetic conditions that would quickly kill them.鈥�
Cindy Castro, another former Just Puppies worker, said a boxer puppy frequently vomited and his illness escalated. Weeks went by before he was taken to a vet, according to Castro鈥檚 testimony. One day, she came in to work to learn that the pup had been euthanized.
Ruth Hanessian, owner of the Animal Exchange, also testified against the bill. Although Hannesian鈥檚 store doesn鈥檛 sell kittens or puppies, she said the bill could send prospective pet owners to 鈥渦nregulated sources鈥� where they might find 鈥渙lder dogs with uncertain histories.鈥� Hanessian said shelters and rescues could provide good dogs, but 鈥渢hey鈥檙e not right for everyone.鈥�
海角精品黑料’S Kate Ryan contributed to this report.
