Animal advocates say this would reduce so-called 鈥渃ruel breeding practices.鈥�
The council voted unanimously to pass the ordinance. Dallas now joins a list of other Texas cities that have banned the sale of dogs and cats at pet stores, which also includes Austin, College Station and San Antonio.
Council Member Omar Narvaez said the vote was 鈥渙n behalf of our four-legged friends.鈥�
鈥淚 will support them because they don鈥檛 have a choice,鈥� he said.
Narvaez says people looking to welcome furry animals into their home should look first to local rescues and shelters. He pointed to Dallas Animal Services, which is located in his West Dallas district.
Council Member Gay Donnell Willis has asked city officials to 鈥渂eef up information for our Dallas citizens on the options for pet ownership from fostering, to rescue, to buying a specialized breed.鈥�
鈥淲e applaud the Dallas Mayor and Council for their leadership on this issue,鈥� said Elizabeth Oreck, National Manager, Puppy Mill Initiatives for . 鈥淲e need to finally put a stop to these pet sales that only fuel inhumane treatment of animals and look to healthier, more humane options.鈥�
Lauren Loney, the Texas state director of the , said in March that dogs from puppy-mill breeders and brokers 鈥渁re bred in horrific conditions and then transported for thousands of miles into the city.鈥�
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