Wentzville, MO. (KTVI-FOX2now.com)—
A plan to stop puppy mills by stopping the sale of commercially bred puppies is stopped before it can start in Wentzville. "These dogs and cats they can't speak for themselves," says Alderman Nick Guccione, "I just decided to do something about it," and that something would have be a first in Missouri.
After banning the sale of puppies at the city's flea market Guccione decided Wentzville should go further by doing its part to stop puppy mills by stopping the retail sale of puppies and kittens. Wentzville is home to a sprawling retail economy but among the big box stores and chain restaurants not a single store that sells commercially bred dogs and cats and the push Wednesday night was to keep it that way. Supporters in the crowd included Carol House pitchman Brook Dubman and St. Louis Blues Forward David Backes."You get the stigma of Missouri being a puppy mill state," says the Olympic Silver medalist, "I don't think anyone likes that and instead of changing the name of puppy mill, the adage you can change the whole way things are run around here."
Among the speakers plenty of animal lovers but some who stated consumers should make this decision and among the livelihoods hurt could be reputable breeders.
"This isn't a breeder's problem this is an owner's problem," said Sheila Short, "you have irresponsible owners and you want to blame somebody else for the problem."
Whether for or against the proposal most who stood up were not from Wentzville and that was enough for the Mayor to say "no" to even considering the proposal, breaking a 3-3 tie. Most did not expect any sort of vote Wednesday night but there was one. Disappointment for supporters but still hope for statewide Proposition B that could, if voters agree, help achieve what was tried Wednesday and that is improve the quality of life of commercially bred animals. Prop B goes before voters in November and would if agreed to strengthen regulations and enforcement of puppy mills.
While Wentzville may not be the first to ban the sale of puppies and kittens other cities may very well be as supporters plan to keep trying in other cities.
