COBB COUNTY, Ga. — Animal activists will push Cobb County commissioners to ban the sale of dogs and cats at pet stores.
Channel 2 Cobb County bureau chief Chris Jose also learned there could be steep fines if the ban passes.
“I think this will help tremendously in Cobb County. I think this is a win, win, win, all the way around,” said Jennifer Siegel, director and founder of Bosley’s Place in Smyrna.
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The nonprofit rescues dogs all over the region.
Siegel supports the proposal that would ban the sale of cats and dogs at pet stores in Cobb County.
“The only ones that are being sold in pet stores are those who are coming from puppy mills and large commercial breeders,” Siegel said.
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County leaders believe Petland in Kennesaw is the only business that would be affected by the change.
If commissioners pass the ban, the store would have 90 days to comply or face a $1,000 fine for every cat and dog up for sale in the business.
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“There’s lot of reputable breeders if you’re breed specific and you can’t find a rescue,” Siegel said.
An attorney representing Petland described the proposed amendment as unconstitutional.
He told Jose in a statement, “I personally know all of the Cobb County commissioners and I am convinced they would not, and will not, enact an amendment that the attorney general says is unconstitutional.”
“I think they’re either completely avoiding or don’t understand the issue," Seigel said.
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In recent years, customers have filed lawsuits claiming Petland sold them sick pets.
Siegel believes a ban on dog and cat sales is an opportunity for the store to turn its image around.
“I think Petland should change faces, and jump on board, and embrace this," Seigel said.
Jose told a county spokesman about Petland’s statement. In an email late Tuesday afternoon, the spokesman said the chairman has been on the record that the board intends to withdraw the pet sale ban from a long list of amendments.
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