PARK RIDGE — The Borough Council will hold a public hearing Tuesday at 8 p.m. on a proposed ordinance to ban the sale of dogs and cats in retail stores. Ordinance 2024-021, which would amend Chapter 52 of the borough code, titled “Dogs, Cats, and Other Animals,” seeks to prohibit pet shops in Park Ridge from selling or offering for sale any dogs or cats.
The ordinance is aimed squarely at pet shops. The goal is to cut off a key sales outlet for so-called “puppy mills,” where animals are often bred in grim, assembly-line conditions. By focusing on the retail end, the ordinance intends to choke off the demand for these animals while encouraging adoptions from shelters and rescue organizations.
The proposed ban follows a similar discussion happening in nearby Westwood. Mayor Ray Arroyo posted on Sept. 4 with an update from the prior night’s Westwood Borough Council meeting. He said the governing body heard speakers outline the deplorable conditions at “puppy mills.”
“The breeding process is mechanistic, [with] females confined in crates, producing litter after litter with no respite. Many of the puppies sold to retailers have undisclosed genetic [and] health problems that are not revealed until after the dog is in the home and its new family falls in love with it.”
Arroyo said, “These dogs don’t get returned. They get cared for by their new owners to the tune of thousands of dollars in unanticipated health care costs.”
He quoted Westwood councilman Anthony Greco: “If a retailer continually sold defective merchandise, they’d be out of business.”
Arroyo said, “Fortunately we currently do not have a business in town that sells puppies. We have residents and a business, Westwood Pets Unlimited, that vigorously promote shelter adoptions.”
Arroyo said his borough’s council unanimously authorized the borough attorney to review an ordinance prohibiting the sale of puppy mill dogs, “for the council’s consideration, introduction and adoption.”
(He ran his post with a photo of Westwood Councilwoman Cheryl Hodges’s “beloved Oliver, who was a rescue. Although no longer here, he made his mark.”)
What the ordinance says
According to the Sept. 10 Park Ridge Council meeting agenda, the ordinance would make it illegal for any retail store in Park Ridge to sell or offer for sale dogs and cats. However, pet shops could provide space for animal rescue organizations or shelters to showcase animals available for adoption, giving them a path to adoption without a sales transaction.
The ordinance introduces several definitions to clarify the scope:
- Animal Rescue Organization: A nonprofit with tax-exempt status under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, focused on rescuing and placing animals in permanent homes.
- Hobby Breeder: A non-commercial setup where dogs are kept for personal breeding, with potential buyers able to see breeding conditions directly.
- Pet Shop: Defined as any commercial establishment selling dogs and cats to the public, excluding rescue organizations, kennels, or shelters.
There’s some “bite” here. Violators face fines of $100 per animal for a first offense and $500 per animal for subsequent offenses. Repeat violators could be ordered to cease all retail operations until animals in custody are handed over to shelters or rescue organizations.
The public is welcome to weigh in.
In 2016, the puppy mill issue in the Pascack Valley area centered around Vincent LoSacco, the owner of Just Pups pet stores, who faced hundreds of violations related to the conditions at his stores in Paramus, Emerson, and East Brunswick. Under public pressure, he closed his Paramus location. In response, animal activists pushed for ordinances statewide to require pet shops to sell only animals from animal care groups rather than commercial breeders.
Also on the agenda
The council has more on its plate than just pet shops. A few of the more interesting items to keep an eye on, according to the agenda:
- Tax Assessment Reductions: A resolution to authorize reductions in tax assessments for properties that have successfully appealed their valuations. If you’ve been keeping an eye on your property taxes, this one’s worth watching.
- Storm Cleanup Funds: There’s an emergency resolution on deck to fund cleanup and repairs following recent storm damage. The council will decide whether to approve an emergency appropriation of $178,300, with a potential follow-up for insurance reimbursements.
- Diversity and Inclusion Initiative: The council will consider a resolution to create a “Dedication by Rider” for a Diversity and Inclusion Committee, which would allow the committee to receive donations and manage expenses separately from the general borough budget.
- Appointment of Municipal Housing Liaison: The council is slated to vote on appointing Borough Administrator Magdalena Giandomenico as the municipal housing liaison. This position is essential for managing Park Ridge’s affordable housing program and compliance with state regulations.
- New Coordinator for Municipal Alliance: Tammy Levinson is up for appointment as the Park Ridge Municipal Alliance Coordinator, a role that involves working on substance abuse prevention and promoting community wellness.
The meeting is set for Borough Hall, 53 Park Ave. Residents and other stakeholders are encouraged to come out and be heard. For more information, call the Borough Clerk’s office or check the Park Ridge website.