Mamaroneck bans sale of puppy mill dogs in village
Articles and Media Coverage From Animal Defenders of Westchester (ADOW)

We advocate on all animal protection and exploitation issues, including experimentation, factory farming, rodeos, breeders and traveling animal acts.

Mamaroneck bans sale of puppy mill dogs in village

FROM Lohud.com
February 24, 2016

MAMARONECK - The village made history Monday night.

It became the first local government in New York to pass a law requiring village pet shop owners to obtain dogs and cats from rescue shelters or humane societies in Westchester County or those that are registered with the New York state Department of Agriculture.

The new law targets puppy and kitten mills by imposing a village ban on the sale of commercially bred dogs and cats.

“This is precedent setting,” said Mayor Norm Rosenblum, who proposed the legislation. “It was one of the best efforts that I’ve been involved in ... It didn’t have anything to do with political parties. It was all for the animals.”

Rosenblum said the law will likely be enforced by the Building Department. Violations would be prosecuted as a misdemeanor and result in fines of $250 to $1,000.

There’s only one pet store in Mamaroneck: National Breeders at 154 Mamaroneck Ave. The store owner, Kevin Casiraghi, who took over in early December, did not return calls for comment. The store was formerly owned by Richard Doyle of Mahopac.

During Monday night's meeting, four of the five members of the Board of Trustees voted in favor of the legislation. Trustee Leon Potok abstained because he said he's concerned about an appeal.
"I am pleased we sent the message that our community abhors the inhumane treatment of animals by puppy mills," Potok said in an email. "But I would have preferred following our counsel's advice to first consult with the New York attorney general's office. I expect that the new law will prove legally defective."

But many members of the community spoke in favor of banning commercially bred animals in the village during Monday night's public hearing and commended the village board on approving the new law.

Paula Krenkel, president of the nonprofit animal rescue organization Pet Rescue in Harrison, said this law will go a long way in preventing the abuses of animals that are bred in horrible conditions.
"Here at Pet Rescue, we know well the horrors of puppy mills and have worked hard to save as many victims as we could," Krenkel said in a statement. "Pet Rescue applauds this new law and hope it sets first a statewide and then nationwide precedent.” 

Return to: Articles and Media Coverage


WESTCHESTER4GEESE is an adjunct of ANIMAL DEFENDERS OF WESTCHESTER. We advocate against all forms of animal abuse and exploitation, including hunting, experimentation, fur, circuses and rodeos -  https://www.facebook.com/Westchester4Geese