Resident urges Mountainside to endorse state ban on retail puppy sales from commercial breeders

Larry Cohen, a Fanwood resident and volunteer with several humane organizations, addressed the Mountainside council during public comment on Dec. 17 to urge passage of a nonbinding resolution backing state legislation that would prohibit retail sales of dogs sourced from commercial breeders.

Cohen detailed his concerns about commercial breeders, citing a breeder named Daniel Gingrich and saying public records show numerous federal violations. He framed the request as a symbolic, cost-free action that would align Mountainside with other New Jersey municipalities that have passed similar measures and noted that eight states have restricted retail sales from commercial breeders.

"I just wanna urge you to take this, you know, nonconfrontational, non-harmful act and simply say, hey,' we don't think that this industry should be part of New Jersey,'" Cohen said, asking the council to consider the resolution and offering to provide a copy of his proposed language.

Mayor said the council would place the item on the agenda for the next work session, collect Cohen's contact information and notify him of next steps; no formal vote or commitment to adopt the resolution occurred at the meeting.

Context: Cohen said four Union County towns have already passed such ordinances and additional towns have recently acted. He described the measure as encouraging pet stores to transition to selling rescue animals or other humane alternatives, not as a retail ban on pet stores themselves.

Next step: The council will consider the request at an upcoming work session and will follow up with Cohen.