Should NY Puppy Mill Bill Be Signed Into Law? [POLL]

NEW YORK — Both the New York Assembly and Senate have passed a bill that would prohibit the sale of dogs, cats and rabbits by retail pet stores.

The legislation (S1130 and A4283) will also authorize collaboration with entities to provide a place to showcase cats or dogs that are available for adoption.

All that is necessary now is for Gov. Kathy Hochul to sign it.

According to the Senate version of the bill, "At a time where there are healthy and loving pets waiting to be adopted from animal shelters statewide, there is simply no reason to allow the sale of puppy mill animals. … This bill would encourage the adoption of dogs, cats and rabbits and ensure that animals no longer have to face the cruelty, physical and psychological abuse to which the puppy mill supply chain subjects animals."

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The bill would go into effect one year after Hochul signs it into law.

Veterinarian Eileen Jefferson wrote an opinion piece in the Times Union saying that similar legislation has been passed already in Illinois, Maryland, Maine, Washington and California.

While cute animals displayed in pet stores may inspire impulse purchases, Jefferson said the animals "often arrive to pet stores afflicted with infections, parasites and other ailments resulting from the cramped and unsanitary conditions at the mill" as well as the absence of adequate veterinary care.

Marcia Tupper, president of Fixing to Help, CNY Spay/Neuter Incentive Program Inc., urged Hochul to sign the bill in a Syracuse.com opinion article.

She called puppy mills "animal cruelty," adding that they breed animals every single heat cycle with no time for the mother to rest between litters.

"If the bill dies, so will more suffering mill dogs, cats and rabbits," Tupper said.

Many pet store owners have pushed back about a possible ban on selling dogs, cats and rabbits.

Jessica Selmer of Selmer's Pet Land in Huntington Station said the law, if signed by Hochul, could put her store out of business, according to Fox 5 New York.

She's pro-rescue, but she insisted that the pups she sells come from regulated and reputable breeders. She emphasized that it wasn't fair to require her to source animals from nonprofit adoption organizations.

"I feel manipulated and I feel like the government is taking my business from me," Selmer said.

Now it's your turn to weigh in on the issue. Vote in our unscientific poll and tell us what you think in the comments.