Rio Rancho to debate dog, cat sales for second time
Posted at: 10/16/2012 7:07 PM
By: Chris Ramirez, KOB Eyewitness News 4
The Rio Rancho City Council is debating whether to allow dogs and cats to be sold in pet shops. It’s the second time the debate has come up in recent years. This time around, the debate centers on repealing a two-year-old ban of dog and cat sales in pet shops.
In a recent city council meeting, concerned people spoke out in favor of repealing the ban.
"You don't know what you are getting,” said Rio Rancho resident Susana Vasquez. “You think you are getting a healthy animal and in reality you are not."
Those who offered public comments worried that pet shops get their animals from puppy mills.
"The almighty dollar should not be the bottom line here,” said an unidentified commenter. “It is not a gallon of milk. It is a dog and a cat that is alive and has feelings, can feel pain and can suffer."
Rio Rancho pet shop owner Eric Newsome worries that if the ban is not repealed, he’ll likely go out of business.
"I'm against puppy mills,” Newsome said. “I make sure I get my dogs from reputable breeders that are state certified."
Newsome said he takes great care of the dogs and cats he sells. In order to keep his small business alive, he's started a petition to repeal the ban that already has more than 100 signatures on it. While Newsome sells other small animals and pet supplies, he said dogs and cats generate most of his income.
The Rio Rancho City Council is expected to take up the issue again on October 24.
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