Advocates: Naperville puppy sales ordinance doesn't go far enough
Naperville City Council members considering a rule update to protect dogs and cats are hearing calls to take their proposed precautions a step further.
The city could allow local enforcement of a state law that became effective in August, forbidding pet stores from selling dogs or cats from commercial breeders with five or more breeding dogs who have been issued citations or violations from the U.S. Department of Agriculture. But some say that's not enough.
"On a very practical level, it's not going to have any impact on the sourcing of animals into our city by pet shop owners," Naperville resident and attorney Sherri Oslick said. "That's the reason why we have concerns."
Oslick was one of several residents who spoke to the council in 2014, and again Tuesday, asking the city to regulate against what they call puppy mills - breeders that raise dogs in inhumane conditions.
"Now it's time for us to move forward and become a humane - truly humane - community," Naperville Area Humane Society member Gail Diedrichsen said.
The city's proposed Animal Protection Act would allow animal control officers to ensure pet stores follow the state law about the source of animals, require microchipping before cats and dogs are sold or adopted, add protections against pets barking incessantly or being left outside - or in cars - during dangerous weather, and increase fines for breaking these rules.
Jonathan Berning of Happiness is Pets, which joins Petland as the only stores in Naperville that sell pets from commercial breeders, said the city's local adoption of the state law will make sure businesses use reputable breeders.
"This bill effectively eliminates puppy mills from making their way into Illinois pet stores," Berning said, "and we could not be happier."
Council members, however, weren't convinced.
Council member Paul Hinterlong said there are trust issues at every step of the puppy process, from breeder to inspector to broker to pet store to owner. Council members Becky Anderson and John Krummen said there are transparency issues with USDA inspection reports, which no longer are posted online.
"If we go with the state ordinance," Krummen said, "I'm not sure it has enough teeth to even affect anything."
Council member Kevin Coyne, who directed city attorneys to update the animal control ordinance, said the municipality shouldn't overreach and try to solve federal or state problems.
"What we should do is do what we can locally to make life safer and better for our animals," Coyne said. "And this ordinance does this in a litany of ways."
The city council is expected to discuss the ordinance further, and potentially take a vote, on Dec. 5.
City Attorney Mike DiSanto said members will be given several options to consider. Possibilities could include adopting the state law, adopting a ban on the sale of all commercially bred animals as the city of Chicago has, or finding a middle ground.