Grove City ‘puppy mill’ ruling could be overturned by Ohio law
The statewide legislature just raised its hand in the battle on “puppy mills” being waged between Grove City and retailer Petland.
New language surreptitiously added to Ohio House Bill 166, an unrelated tax cleanup bill, says that regulating pet stores is an issue of general Ohio interest that requires statewide regulation.
That is to say, the state might be overruling what Grove City has to say about the sale of animals produced at high-volume breeders.
Starting on January 1st, 2017, the city ruled that pet stores could only sell animals obtained from shelters and rescue groups.
Petland says that it only works with reputable breeders, while critics say puppy mills treat animals poorly, and contribute to animal overpopulation.
The tax bill could pass through the senate as early as this week.
Read More
4/14/16: Petland sues Grove City councilman in continuation of ‘puppy mill’ spat
In an unsurprising turn of events, pet retailer Petland has once again sued Grove City, this time singling out a councilman for “defamation” of the store through emails he sent to his constituents.
Grove City councilman Ted Berry called the store “lying bastards” and “not reputable,” according to Petland.
Berry says he was “threatened and harassed” throughout the process of voting to outlaw the sale of “puppy mill” animals produced at high-volume breeders.
Now that the ordinance has passed, pet stores can only buy from animal rescue groups, humane-societies and animal shelters, which Petland isn’t too happy about (see below).
Petland maintains that it only buys animals from reputable breeders.
Read More
3/25/16: Petland is pissed: pet store sues Grove City
Earlier this month Grove City passed an ordinance that will outlaw the sale of animals obtained from high-volume breeders, or ‘puppy mills,’ and Petland is not happy about it.
The pet store says they get their animals only from reputable breeders, and that the city council agreed with the company’s business practices months ago, only to change their minds weeks before the store opened.
Voters lauded the measure when it was passed, since it looked like Petland would have to adapt its business practices such that it obtained its animals from animal rescues, animal shelters and humane societies. However, this new litigation could throw a wrench into the regulations, regardless of their good intentions.
Check back for updates on this developing story!
Read More
3/8/16: Grove City bans sale of ‘puppy mill’ animals at pet stores
Amidst considerable public support, the City Council of Grove City passed a measure that would outlaw the sale of animals obtained from high-volume breeders, colloquially known as “puppy mills.” Instead, pet stores will have to obtain dogs and cats from animal rescues, animal shelters and humane societies.
Toledo is the only other Ohio city with a law like this on the books, and it means stores like Petland might have to change how they do business.
A new Petland store opened in Grove City last weekend, and officials from the store told NBC4 that they only buy from reputable breeders.
The pet store attempted to reach a compromise with the City Council, but negotiations didn’t get far. And with the passage of the new law, it looks like the only solution for the chain will be to adapt.
Read More
BROUGHT TO YOU BY
