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Riverhead opens hearing on stricter rules for retail sale of cats, dogs and rabbits
Summary
The board held a public hearing on amendments to chapter 207 to align local law with state general business law, add recordkeeping and enclosure standards, set fines up to $5,000 and create civil enforcement; the hearing remains open for 10 days of written comment.
Riverhead staff presented proposed amendments to town code chapter 207 to refine the town’s ban and regulatory approach to retail sales of cats, dogs and rabbits. The changes align the local definition of prohibited retail sales with state general business law and add recordkeeping, veterinary‑care, quarantine, enclosure and daily‑contact requirements for animals kept for sale.
Town counsel explained enforcement and penalties would increase: first‑offense civil fines of $500–$1,500, second‑offense $1,500–$3,000 and third/subsequent offenses $3,000–$5,000; the ordinance also enables civil enforcement with daily penalties up to $5,000 and injunctive relief. The board opened public comment and invited written submissions during a 10‑day comment period; staff said shelters, service‑animal transfers and certain rescue transfers would remain exempt. The board did not adopt final changes at the meeting and left the record open for written input.
