Texas bill to ban pet store 'puppy mill' sales doomed after missing deadline, say supporters
Supporters of legislation that would have effectively banned the sale of "puppy mill" dogs and cats have admitted defeat as the 140-day legislative session hurtles toward final adjournment June 2.
The twin pieces of legislation, House Bill 3458 by North Texas Republican state Rep. Jared Patterson and Senate Bill 1652 by South Texas Democratic Sen. Judith Zaffirini, were among scores of proposals that on one hand enjoyed bipartisan support but on the other could not overcome the deadlines in place to reach the finish line.
The measures would have ended the retail sale of puppies and kittens in pet stores across Texas, cutting off a key supply line for out-of-state puppy mills that profit from inhumane breeding practices.
'Failing to pass the Ethical Pet Sales Bill signals that cruelty and consumer fraud will be allowed to continue in Texas unchecked,' said Shelby Bobosky, executive director of the Texas Humane Legislation Network. "For two sessions, Texas led on animal welfare, passing landmark reforms. But this year, we stepped backward. Texas can and must do better."
Several large cities, including Austin, San Antonio and Houston, have ordinances governing the sale of puppies and kittens within their boundaries. Two years ago, legislation that would have imposed pet store regulations across the state stalled.
Instead, a measure that curtailed local governmental entities from enacting a wide range of regulatory ordinances — including those aimed at pet stores — was signed into law by Gov. Greg Abbott. The law did not strike down pet store ordinances already on the books, but it prevents other local governments from imposing similar measures.
This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: Texas bill to ban pet store 'puppy mill' sales is doomed: supporters
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