Easter Bunny Sale Ban in Stamford Irks Pet Store

STAMFORD, CT — A local pet store owner is upset over a city ordinance that bans the sale of rabbits within four weeks of Easter.

Fish Bowl Pets owner Tony Aversano said he usually sells rabbits for $60 to $80 plus the cost of cages and other accessories, according to the Stamford Advocate. He said it's hard enough in retail without government telling business owners that they can't sell products at a certain time of the year.

In the past there would be a large number of rabbits, chickens and ducks surrendered at local shelters in the period after Easter, City Animal Control Officer Tilford Cobb told the Advocate.

The local ordinance prevents the sale of baby rabbits or fowl under eight weeks during the four week period leading up to Easter. It also bans the practice of dying rabbits, baby chicks, ducklings or other fowl in order to sell them.

New York City banned the sale of rabbits at any time during 2015. The ban was prompted after many of the furry creatures were banned as they grew bigger, according to the New York Daily News.

Image via Tricia/Flickr Commons