Issue link: https://newsleader.uberflip.com/i/227385
Sarasota News Leader December 13, 2013 K.T. Nguyen told the board he purchased a puppy named Henry from Puppy Town, as well as a puppy named Jackson from Petland, because he wanted a specific breed that would not trigger his families' allergies. Page 17 commercially and had adopted a dog, and "both were the right decisions for me." Way bought a Chihuahua puppy that already had been micro-chipped and checked by a veterinarian, she pointed out. It also was cer"We should have a right to choose where we tified by the American Canine Association, she said. purchase our puppies from," Nguyen said. (Microchips are often used to store inforHis comments were repeated by many of those mation that can be used to identify specific who spoke against the proposed regulations. animals, and some chips are used to record "This ordinance tells me I can no longer pur- health history.) chase pets from pet stores that are regulated Other ban opponents say the pet stores get by the state," said Holly White. "It forces me puppies and other pets exclusively from to adopt a pet that doesn't fit into my family's breeders with good reputations. needs." "We only purchase from [U.S. Department of Becca Way, the kennel manager at Petland, Agriculture-inspected] breeders; many have told the board she had purchased a puppy won awards," said John Harper, whose family Some opponents of the measure brought signs to convey their positions. Photo by Roger Drouin