State ban sought on pet store sale of puppies

Animal rights activists are pushing for state legislation that would ban pet stores from selling puppies.

They say a law is needed to stem the tide of puppies bred in so-called puppy mills.

The legislation bars the pet store sale of dogs under 1 year old. Steve Zerilli, a member of the Pet Industry Joint Action Council, said the bill discriminates against pet stores that sell fewer than ten percent of the puppies in Connecticut.

Julie Lewin, founder of Animal Advocacy of Connecticut, said the law is needed because state regulations are inadequate. She says the state does not have solid information on whether puppies with contagious ailments are entering Connecticut.

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