Press Releases
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.

TUESDAY: First of two public hearings on banning puppy mills in Greenburgh

PRESS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

January 14, 2020

CONTACT:
Kiley Blackman
[email protected]
www.adow.org

NEWS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 14, 2020
Contact: Kiley Blackman

TUESDAY: First of two public hearings on banning puppy mills in Greenburgh

On January 14, 2020 the Town of Greenburgh, NY will hold the first of two public hearings to consider enacting a local law regarding the selling of commercially bred dogs and cats in area pet shops. The hearing will be held at Greenburgh Town Hall, 177 Hillside Ave, Greenburgh, NY@ 7:00 P.M. The second hearing will be held at the same location, same time, on February 4, 2020.

The sale of 'commercially bred' dogs and cats, known as 'puppy mills,' has already been banned in seven other Westchester venues. Animal Defenders of Westchester approached Greenburgh almost three years ago, requesting a similar ban be enacted here; eventually a bill was drafted.

In May, 2019, NYS Attorney General Letitia James announced she had charged a Hartsdale pet shop with lying to the public by saying their animals came from 'the finest private dealers' - when in fact they were selling animals from puppy mills which had been repeatedly cited by the USDA for deplorable living conditions for the animals.

The AG had launched an investigation into Westchester Puppies and Kittens '...after multiple complaints from consumers who bought pets from the store that required treatment of illnesses commonly associated with animals bred at puppy mills, such as kennel cough, giardia, distemper, and parvovirus. This pet shop also procured animals from puppy mills that had been repeatedly cited and fined by the USDA for 'poor and unsanitary conditions in its breeding operations.'

See Attorney General James Announces Settlement With Westchester Pet Store Over Deceptive Advertising About Health And Wellness Of Animals

Almost 300 cities and counties have already enacted similar bans, with California the first such entire state with such a ban. Animal advocates cite the need for this ban due to lax USDA humane enforcement, lack of decent veterinary care for the animals, lack of socialization, etc, plus the burden that puppy mill overbreeding adds to already buiging animal shelters, resulting in the yearly killing of millions of healthy dogs and cats, for want of a home.

Greenburgh has been shown that, contrary to what they claim, pet shop animals are gotten commercially because private breeders have no incentive to lose profit by supplying to them; in fact 96% of National Breed Clubs' Code of Ethics prohibit or discourage members from selling to pet stores.

The second public hearing on this subject will be held on Feb 4, 2020@ 7 PM, Greenburgh Town Hall; Town Supervisor Paul Feiner states they will vote on this ban afterwards.

A copy of the bill is attached - Local Law-Dog Breeding-12-6-19 (1) (PDF)

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