Naperville decides against puppy sale restrictions for now
Naperville will not decide this year if the city should regulate the sources of dogs sold in pet stores.
The city council voted unanimously Tuesday night to table potential regulations against selling dogs from so-called puppy mills until June 1, 2015.
Council members cited the lawsuit filed last month against a dog sales restriction in Cook County as the main reason they want to delay action.
The delay means the topic won't come up again for further discussion until after the April 7 election, when the city will have a new mayor and could have several new council members.
"We're laying the groundwork for this to be an important first item for the next council," said council member Robert Fieseler, who suggested potential pet sales regulations be discussed again after June 1. Fieseler has said he is not running for re-election.
Council members decided to put off a decision on the topic after listening to five speakers Tuesday night; the third time so-called puppy mills have drawn extensive discussion at a meeting since June.
Speakers in favor of dog sales restrictions said there's a need for additional protections to prevent animals from being bred in inhumane conditions. A Naperville pet store owner, meanwhile, said additional regulations could hurt his business.