City Council Votes 12-2 For Ban On Sale Of Commercially-Bred Pets
LOS ANGELES (CBSLA.com) — The Los Angeles City Council is leaning toward a ban selling dogs, cats and rabbits purchased from commercial breeders.
The ordinance proposed by City Councilman Paul Koretz was approved 12-2, forcing a second vote next week that will require a simple majority for passage. City Council members Bill Rosendahl and Mitchell Englander opposed the ban.
The proposed law is intended to shut down puppy and kitten mills and reduce the tens of thousands of euthanizations performed on unclaimed animals every year. The penalty for a first violation would be $250 and goes up to $1,000 for a third strike.
Rosendahl asked that rabbits not be included on behalf of Allan's Aquarium and Pet Center in Venice, where he purchased his four rabbits.
Koretz declined to drop commercially-bred rabbits the proposed ban, saying that pet stores can find an "adequate supply" of the animals from shelters, especially around Easter.
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