A measure to ban the retail sale of dogs, cats and rabbits in National City was embraced in early results Tuesday, but most precincts had yet to report results.
Measure J would allow customers to buy dogs, cats and rabbits from breeders and/or the premises where the animals are born — but not in stores.
The measure originated as an ordinance that was approved by a majority on the City Council and later challenged via a lawsuit and referendum.
The hotly debated ban targets stores that Measure J supporters say sell commercially bred puppies disguised as “rescues.” Supporters argued that the ban would protect consumers against fraud and help close commercial breeding facilities, such as “puppy mills.”
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Opponents said the ban would eliminate a sustainable business model for pet stores, taking away jobs and the option to buy pets from stores.
A state law that took effect in January required pet stores to acquire animals from either shelters or rescue groups, but some stores reportedly started to obtain animals from bogus rescue groups that partnered with commercial breeders. Measure J supporters viewed that as a flaw in Assembly Bill 485 and moved to ban the retail sale of dogs, cats and rabbits in the South Bay city outright.
“On this 2020 Super Tuesday, it’s important to see that the National City electorate is strong in voicing its opinion, especially when it comes to upholding decisions made by a supermajority of their elected leaders,” Mayor Alejandra Sotelo-Solis said. “National City will not tolerate the sales of puppy mill dogs in our community and will not be manipulated by the twisting of words to keep loopholes open for a select few.”
In addition to Sotelo-Solis, Measure J’s strongest supporters included animal-rights activists and council members Mona Rios, Gonzalo Quintero and Jerry Cano. Councilman Ron Morrison vehemently opposed the measure.
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“It’s been difficult to overcome the stigma that’s been labeled as ‘puppy mills,’” Morrison said in part in a statement. “I am hopeful that if this measure does pass that it does not signal a continuation of the atni-business theme that we’ve had with the current majority of the City Council.”
Also opposed to Measure J was the owner of National City Puppy, David Salinas.
After the early results, he said, “We’re hopeful!”
Salinas filed the lawsuit and circulated the referendum that challenged the ordinance after the City Council approved it 4-1 in September, with Morrison opposed.
Salinas has rejected claims by animal-rights group for years that his store gets puppies from “puppy mills.”
In a separate but related matter, animal-rights groups sued Salinas’ store in what turned into a successful effort to force the store to close in January.
2020-03-04 05:48:50Z
https://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/communities/south-county/national-city/story/2020-03-03/voters-back-ban-on-retail-sale-of-dogs-cats-and-rabbits-in-national-city
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