Politics & Government
2nd Essex County Town Passes Anti-Puppy Mill Law In 2017
The law aims to combat puppy and kitten mills and increase adoptions from local animal shelters.
ESSEX COUNTY, NJ — There will be no more dogs or cats sold in Nutley. The township recently passed a law that bans the sale, barter, auction or transfer of canines and felines in its borders, an attempt to combat puppy and kitten mills and give a boost to local animal shelters.
Nutley Ordinance 3368 reads as follows:
“No pet store shall sell, deliver, offer for sale, barter, auction, give away, or otherwise transfer or dispose of cats or dogs. Nothing in this section shall prohibit pet stores from collaborating with animal care facilities, animal rescue organizations or reputable hobby breeders to offer space for such entities to showcase adoptable dogs and cats.”
Violations of the law can be punishable by a $500 maximum fine. The Nutley Health Department and Police Department will be responsible for enforcing the new ordinance.
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Nutley isn’t the first Essex County town to enact a ban on the sales of dogs and cats. In March, the Livingston Township Council approved an ordinance that only allows local pet stores to sell dogs and cats that come from animal control centers/shelters or animal rescue organizations.
- See related article: Livingston Council Bans Sale Of 'Puppy Mill' Dogs, Cats
NO DOGS, CATS SOLD IN NUTLEY
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The Nutley ordinance cites “inhumane conditions in puppy and kitten mill facilities” and claims that current federal, state and county regulations “do not properly address the sale of puppy and kitten mill dogs and cats in pet shops.”
In addition, the law’s authors say that prohibiting the retail sale of puppies and kittens is “likely to increase demand for animals from animal shelters and rescue organizations.”
Essex County has led the state in euthanized dogs for several years running.
- See related article: Essex County Animal Shelters Had Most Dog Euthanasias In NJ (Again)
- See related article: 10 Heartwarming Animal Adoption Photos In New Jersey
“We don’t have pet stores in Nutley, and we certainly want to encourage someone who wants to open a pet store to do so,” Public Affairs Commissioner Steven Rogers told NorthJersey.com.
“We’re not hurting any businesses,” Rogers said. “We’re helping consumers, and most importantly, helping animals.”
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Photo: Flickr / Jack Mosher
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