Franklin closer on deciding whether to ban sales of dogs and cats
Franklin closer on deciding whether to ban sales of dogs and cats Emily West , Nashville Tennessean Published 8:00 p.m. CT Oct. 23, 2018 Buy Photo Nancy Tarver and her daughter, Kylie, play with their dogs in their Murfreesboro home. Tarver purchased two puppies last year from Franklin’s Pawfect Puppy. Both dogs, named Stella and Macy, ended up sick, and Tarver said she spent thousands in medical bills. Both dogs have recovered and are now healthy. (Photo: Shelley Mays / The Tennessean) Buy Photo CONNECT COMMENT EMAIL MORE FRANKLIN — After months of research, Franklin leaders could now decide that new retail sales of cats and dogs could no longer happen in the city. Members of the community filled the seats and stood against the wall to show their support of banning the sales. Residents — including animal advocates and veterinarians — wore bright green dots on their shirts came up to speak to aldermen. Ward 1 Alderman Bev Burger wrote a new ordinance that leaders will vote on later in the year or early 2019, after it’s been in limbo since the summer. As worded in her proposal, no new pet stores that sale dogs and cats could open in Franklin. Any stores operating with a valid business license could remain open, under the proposed ordinance. ‘Decide now’ Rep. Sam Whitson, R-Franklin, said he was in favor of Burger’s ordinance. But he urged leaders to make their decision prior to the next Tennessee legislative session. “We need to think about our destiny here in Franklin,” Whitson said. “There was a large chain who wanted to regulate the ban of sales. My concern is that it will come up again. If you don’t take action now, it could be taken away from you.” Other animal advocates and veterinarians said they hoped to see the city eliminate these types of businesses in the community after interacting with dogs that came from puppy mills. “When you talk about the item they are selling, they are items that don’t have a voice,” said, Dr. Lizzie Moser, veterinarian with Anamalia Veterinary Hospital. “I see many people who buy from responsible breeders. They are proud of the genetics they have maintained. They want their clients to come see their facilities. That’s not the case with puppy mills.” Who could stay open Only one business in Franklin will stay open to sell cats and dogs. Pawfect Puppy owner John Thompson said he didn’t believe in the ordinance, because it restricted consumers rights of choice. “My store’s been on the news, and it’s all over the Internet, yet people still come to my store,” Thompson said. “I find it hard to believe they come because they aren’t educated buyers. They come to my store because it’s a convenient place for them to come.” The business can’t move or expand, according to City Attorney Shauna Billingsley said. It would also have two new rules to follow. The store would have to follow two new rules to remain in business: Sell only animals sourced from a U.S. Department of Agriculture licensed breeder with no violations and provide a copy of the inspection proving it, List the breeder’s name and address on the front of the enclosure where the animal is held. A business found to be in violation could receive a fine up to $50 per violation, per day. Where the idea for a restrictions originated Animal advocate Ashley Cunnyngham presented a thick stack of papers to the Franklin Board of Mayor and Aldermen in February, asking members to consider an ordinance that would stop the sale of dogs and cats in the city’s pet stores. In December, she collected 1,400 signatures that supported her request. The ordinance would address only sales in brick-and-mortar businesses, not personal sales of animals. Without a state law in place, Cunnyngham said she felt it was up to the city to take a stance. “Should this cruelty be another cost of doing business in Franklin?” Cunnyngham said. Reach Emily West at erwest@tennessean.com or 615-613-1380 and on Twitter at @emwest22. CONNECT COMMENT EMAIL MORE Share your feedback to help improve our site experience! From The USA TODAY NETWORK These sites are part of the USA TODAY NETWORK. Their content is produced independently from our newsrooms. More Stories