Greeley council hears informational briefing on proposed ban of public sales of dogs and cats

Mayor Pro Tem Dale Hall presided as the Greeley City Council received an informational briefing Tuesday on a proposed ordinance, commonly referred to as “Sammy’s Law,” that would ban sales of dogs and cats in public places and, optionally, retail establishments.

Commander Matt Patella of the Greeley Police Department, who prepared the research, told the council the proposal has “two prongs”: a ban on animal sales in public spaces and a ban on retail-store sales of puppies and kittens. Patella said the draft ordinance in the meeting packet is informational only and that the city currently has no retail stores that sell puppies or kittens.

The briefing outlined why staff and residents pushed for a local ordinance. Patella said the city has seen animals sold in shopping centers and public areas — a pattern he and the council associated with out‑of‑state commercial breeders. “There’s really no paperwork and knowing anything about where they came from,” he said, adding that animal control officers have limited tools to verify an animal’s age or origin on the spot.

Patella and Police Chief Adam Turk described enforcement steps staff would recommend if the council directs an ordinance: targeted signage at shopping centers, outreach to property owners, a public-education campaign, a brief warning period, and then enforcement by animal control officers. Patella noted enforcement challenges under state law: the Colorado Pet Animal Care and Facilities Act (PACFA) provides inspection authority but requires proof of an animal’s age to cite certain violations, which can be difficult to establish in the field.

Council members pressed staff on exemptions and definitions. Council Member Butler asked how “hobby breeder” exemptions would work; Patella and the presenters pointed to the PACFA framework, saying hobby breeders are typically those with two litters or fewer per year under state licensing rules. Council Member McDonald said many animals sold in Colorado come from states with weaker regulation and said she supported bans on both public‑space sales and retail-store sales to protect residents from sick animals and high veterinary costs.

City Attorney’s Office representative Bob Cranston attended the briefing and was present for legal questions. Staff said draft ordinance language is in the packet and could be brought forward for formal introduction if the council wishes; they did not set a timeline. When asked for a timeline, Patella said, “the ordinance is drafted, so we could be timely on presenting that to council if that's what council wishes.”

No formal vote or direction to adopt the ordinance occurred during the meeting; the item was informational. Council members asked for clarifications — including a request to include a clear definition of “hobby breeder” in ordinance language — but did not adopt or introduce a local law at this session.

Background and context: staff cited PACFA by name and noted the state bill referred to in the discussion as related to “Sammy’s Law” is pending at the state level; presenters told the council that municipalities may adopt ordinances that are stricter than state law. Staff said enforcement would focus first on public‑space sales — where personnel have observed mobile sellers in shopping centers — and then consider retail bans, which currently would not affect any known Greeley businesses.

The briefing closes a public-information step: staff recommended education and outreach before enforcement, and said animal rescue organizations and hobby breeders acting within the PACFA definition would be treated differently than commercial sellers in public spaces. If the council wishes to proceed, staff said they can return with an ordinance and a proposed enforcement timeline.