A Georgia county is debating whether to ban the sales of animals at pet stores.
More than 100 people showed up at a recent public hearing in Cobb County, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported.
Many spoke out in support of a ban. Some said pet stores use deceptive sales practices or obtain their animals from “pet mills.”
“I want to live in a community where cruelty is not condoned,” Cobb County resident Lynn Robinson. “Market forces are not stopping puppy mills.”
Petland business buys animals only from responsible breeders, attorney James Balli said.
“What you’ve heard tonight is not the story that we believe to be the truth,” he said.
Cobb County commissioners expressed hesitation about adopting a ban. Commissioner JoAnn Birrell said it’s a state issue and should be dealt with by state lawmakers.
She and commissioners Keli Gambrill and Lisa Cupid expressed concern about running afoul of state law. Commissioners noted that a state attorney general’s opinion has said local governments can’t impose restrictions on the sale of animals that go beyond Georgia law.
“There’s no bigger lover of animals in this room than me,” said Birrell, adding that she was personally opposed to the sale of cats and dogs.
“However, this really is a state issue and the state legislature needs to change the laws to regulate Petland or any other pet stores.”
Another public hearing is set for Feb. 11.
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