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Manatee commissioners reopen debate on retail pet sales; county attorney asked to draft moratorium-style limit on new stores
Summary
After hours of public comment from animal-welfare advocates and pet-store supporters, the Board directed the county attorney to draft language to prevent new retail pet stores that sell live animals while the county task force studies the issue and staff compiles data.
Commissioners on Tuesday reopened a long-running debate over whether to ban retail sale of companion animals in Manatee County, hearing more than an hour of public testimony before voting to ask the county attorney to draft a legal limit on new retail pet stores pending further study.
The discussion, scheduled as Commissioner George Cruz’s agenda item on reinstating a retail pet ban that the board had approved in 2021 and later rescinded, drew a large public turnout. Animal-welfare advocates said the retail market creates demand that drives puppy mills and leads to high illness and surrender rates at the county shelter; store owners and industry representatives said franchise and independent pet retailers follow licensing and sourcing rules and help consumers with additional protections.
“Puppy mills and backyard breeders exist because there is…
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