By Dave Fidlin
Correspondent
An ordinance taking aim at puppy and kitten mills and other inhumane practices will be added to Whitewater’s books in the coming months.
The Common Council on June 2 unanimously adopted an ordinance prohibiting pet stores from selling dogs, cats and rabbits. The document further states large-scale commercial animal breeding within the city’s confines is not permissible.
The first of multiple “whereas” clauses within the legal document outline why the city is tailoring its ordinance specifically to pet stores.
“Most puppies and kittens sold in pet stores come from large-scale, commercial breeding facilities where the health and welfare of the animals is disregarded in order to maximize profits,” the ordinance states.
It continues, “According to the Humane Society of the United States, an estimated 10,000 puppy mills produce more than 2 million puppies per year in the United States.”
Last week’s adoption of the ordinance, which officially takes effect 90 days after adoption, was the second comb-through of the document. The first reading last month limited the scope of pet store animal sales to dogs and cats, but rabbits were added as well after further review.
During deliberations at the June 2 meeting, City Attorney Wally McDonell said the ordinance is designed to draw a clear delineation between mass commercial breeders and small private breeders — the latter practice still permissible within the community.
“(The ordinance) is focused on pet stores, as opposed to private breeders,” McDonell said. “A pet store is specifically defined.”
Council member Carol McCormick said she fielded a concern from a resident inquiring if she was going to have to cease private breeding after the ordinance went through its first read-through.
“I assured her she would not,” McCormick said.
Council President Lynn Binnie said he believes care has gone into creating the ordinance, drawing a sharp line between what is and is not permissible for animal breeding within the city.
“I would agree it is very clear,” Binnie said.
Several organizers have championed the new ordinance. Whitewater resident Peggy Race, a Wisconsin team co-lead with the organization Bailing Out Benji, described the city’s action as “the first of its kind in Wisconsin” with a document that “promotes animal welfare and protects consumers and legitimate businesses.”
“As a Whitewater resident who has seen beyond the cute little puppy in the pet store window, I joined forces with the HSUS (Humane Society of the United States) and Bailing Out Benji to bring a voice to the voiceless,” Race wrote in an email to the Whitewater Register.
In a statement, Megan Nicholson, Wisconsin director with the Humane Society of the United States, lauded the council’s actions.
“The good citizens of Whitewater have made it clear that they do not support the cruel puppy mill industry, and we hope that more localities follow their lead,” Nicholson said in the statement.
In a related maneuver, the council also adopted an ordinance amending its list of fines. A fine of $500, per animal, could be charged to anyone found in violation of selling dogs, cats or rabbits to or from pet stores.
