SAN DIEGO, Calif., May 1, 2013 – San Diego takes one step closer to stopping the puppy mill cycle by considering a ban on the retail sale of companion animals. These actions mirror other initiatives, spearheaded by Companion Animal Protection Society (CAPS), in cities across the US and Canada.
The City Council of San Diego meets today to consider an Office of the City Attorney’s draft of a CAPS proposed ordinance prohibiting the sale of factory-bred dogs, cats and rabbits in retail stores within San Diego. Over 30 cities across the country, a number of them in California like West Hollywood, Glendale, Irvine, and Los Angeles, passed similar legislation.
The Council’s Committee on Public Safety and Neighborhood Services meeting includes a discussion of the ordinance details and supporting evidence. CAPS formally introduced the ordinance on March 13, but talks between the City of San Diego and CAPS began as far back as June, 2012. A group of other animal welfare organizations formed later to assist this effort.
David Salinas, owner of San Diego Puppy, will be represented by Mike Canning, CEO of Pet Industry Joint Advisory Council, and is expected to speak against the ordinance. According to various sources they will argue shelters and rescues are trying take down the competition by pushing legislation. CAPS own investigation into Salinas’ various business, including his pet shop and earlier online ventures, concluded he obtained dogs from known puppy mills.
The meeting will take place today (May 1, 2013) at 2:00 PM PST. Marti Emerald is the current Public Safety and Neighborhood Services chairperson.
Location: Council Committee Room, 12 Floor,
City Administration Building 202 C Street,
San Diego, California.
Contact CAPS for more information about the ordinance, investigations into San Diego area pet shops, or CAPS ongoing national awareness campaign (Models Against Pet Shops and Puppy Mills): caps@caps-web.org
