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Englewood council weighs ban on pet-store dog sales tied to puppy mills
Summary
At a council working discussion requested by Assemblywoman Shama Hader, Englewood councilmembers debated whether to ban retail sales of dogs in pet shops that source from mass-production breeders, with members urging more data and noting existing licensing and state oversight.
Council President Rosensweig opened a working discussion after meeting with Assemblywoman Shama Hader and asked whether Englewood should consider banning retail sales of dogs sourced from so-called puppy mills. Rosensweig said his office was told there are “only 17 pet shops in the state selling dogs that come from mass production puppy mills, and that 3 of those 17 are in the city of Englewood,” and added, “I have not independently corroborated that statistic.”
The council’s conversation focused on trade-offs between discouraging inhumane breeding and avoiding unintended consequences for shelters and responsible breeders. Councilwoman David said she was uncomfortable with a blanket ban and urged more research and random sampling before taking action, noting concerns that limiting retail sales could increase shelter population pressures. “I don’t feel comfortable,” she said.
City staff explained existing local controls. The city clerk said pet shops in Englewood are licensed and “are already required by law to submit annually a list of where they get their dogs from” to the health department; a public-record request for those records is already pending. Robert Hoffman said he would supply the council with additional documentation and context about licensing, and he clarified that council salary and personnel decisions would be handled separately from this discussion.
Several members favored a nonregulatory starting point. One council member suggested adopting a resolution stating the city’s opposition to puppy mills while urging stronger statewide licensing and inspection instead of enacting a local ordinance that might create uneven rules across municipalities. “Rather than adopting a local ordinance, I think Englewood could adopt a resolution that clearly states we oppose puppy mills and all inhumane breeding practices … and urge the state of New Jersey to continue strengthening and enforcing animal welfare laws,” the council member said.
Members also flagged practical questions to resolve before any ordinance: how to define disallowed sales, how to verify pet-source records, how a local ban would affect shelters and ethical breeders, enforcement resources, and whether pending or future state legislation would pre-empt local rules. Several speakers urged convening a fact-finding hearing with shelter operators, pet-shop owners and state representatives so the council can weigh evidence before deciding.
The council made no formal motion at the meeting. Council members agreed to gather more information and return to the issue in a future packet or meeting; staff offered to provide the clerk’s licensing lists and any available inspection records.
