The City Council unanimously approved the prohibition Tuesday after more than two hours of emotional testimony from the animal-rights activists who supported the ban and the pet shop owners and employees who opposed it. San Diego joins Los Angeles and Chula Vista in passing a ban.
The commercial facilities -- also referred to as puppy mills and catteries -- have been targeted by activists for alleged inhumane treatment of pets. Shop owners say those critics are painting all large breeding centers with a broad brush because of a few bad apples.
Gary Weitzman, president and chief executive of the San Diego Humane Society, said the goal of the pet store ordinance is to discourage the transport of animals from commercial facilities and encourage the adoption of homeless animals from local shelters and rescue organization.
“The primary reason that we think this ordinance should pass is to prove that San Diego is indeed America’s pet-friendliest city, a designation we should all be proud to have had in the past and we want to have going forward,” Weitzman said.
There are only two pet stores in San Diego -- San Diego Puppy and Pet Market -- that would be affected by the new ordinance. San Diego Puppy in Grantville has been the focus of much local criticism because it sells puppies bred at Hunte Corp., the world’s largest professional pet distributor.
David Salinas, owner of San Diego Puppy, said he takes great pride in taking care of his animals and defended Hunte’s practices. “They do everything right,” he said.
Salinas added, “Anybody that will tell you that I don’t care about puppies or where they come from and it’s strictly about money is completely false ... Anybody that’s successful in this industry is going to be attacked. We know this is a David versus Goliath-type thing. It’s a heartfelt thing. We understand that. But we love animals.” http://www.utsandiego.com/news/2013/jul/09/san-diego-bans-retail-sales-dogs-cats/
First, you have to consider this is California and San Diego, where the vast majority of the population falls in line with the moderately mentally disabled. They just are not very bright.
Do these idiots actually think this will get rid of puppy mills, as they say they are? Of course not, because the pet sellers will just go to the suburbs and to other cities.
I have also visited the so called puppy mills and from what I have seen, the pets are not treated that bad.
I have also visited pet shops that have dogs and cats. Yes, I don't like that they are in cages for 8-10 hours a day but I also know the dog and cats are allowed out of the cages after the stores close and get their freedom/exercise.
So, to San Diego, you think you are doing good, but the sad fact is that you are doing crap. But then you are from Southern California where an intelligent person is as rare as a wild penguin in Las Vegas.
Love your ending there is animal cruelity in all walks of the animal industry and closing someone down for doing so is fine but to deny anyone from being in the pet breeding and sales as some of these cities are doing is idiotic and foolish. These fanatics attack everyone and anyone who breeds dogs even those that only have one or two litters from one pair of dogs. I guarntee you its the shelters that started this business (humane society etc.) To corner the market on pet sales in under the guise of adoption fees..The fools in this country our lawing all of us right out of all our freedoms. Why dont they go eat another hamburger or pork chop or some chicken and keep contributing to the industry with the worst animal cruelity in the us. The food industry and how about this spay and neuter your children theres to many damn people in the world now also. wise up fools..
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