By Megann Horstead | For The Bugle
Members of the Joliet Land Use and Legislative Committee recently met to review regulations and restrictions on the sale of cats and dogs.
The discussion of puppy mills and city ordinances proposed to protect animal rights dates back to 2015.
Interim City Manager Marty Shanahan recommended that Joliet move forward with a puppy mill ordinance placing restrictions on the sale of pets similar to that introduced by the City of Chicago, which was challenged in the court.
Another model presented by Corporation Counsel Chris Regis outlined a template that follows the state statute, which he described as less restrictive.
“I adopted the federal [court’s] definition of puppy mill into the city’s ordinance, and I simply banned the operation or participation in the operation of puppy mills within the City of Joliet, which is something that is under our control,” Regis said. “I also defined an unlicensed breeder as someone who is not in compliance with the state statute, and I understand there was some discussion on that, and that is open to change, as well.”
Under this template, the ordinance requires commercial pet stores to acquire animals from someone who is compliant with the state statute and goes on to stipulate that puppies and kittens are not to be separated from their litter for a period of at least 14 weeks.
Joliet resident Morgan Drdak questioned why the committee would consider the second model, which follows a state statute passed earlier this year.
“We heard that there was still concern over the long-awaited Chicago ruling, but that’s baseless,” she said, referencing an email sent by an attorney for the Puppy Mill Project to Joliet officials upholding the court’s decision on the City of Chicago’s ordinance. “On Sept. 21, 2017, the Seventh Circuit upheld the Chicago Companion Animal Protection Ordinance, which the Chicago model, here, replicates, and that was affirming the federal district court’s dismissal of the case. It’s a definitive and final ruling.”
Drdak—who serves an animal welfare advocate for Safe Pets for Joliet—has been approaching the City of Joliet regarding puppy mill legislation since 2015.
“I know you’ve received at least 110 emails just through our website from residents asking you to support our ordinance,” she said. “Our petition now has more 2,200 signatures. The people are speaking, and we just wish that you would listen.”
Alex Rodriguez, of Joliet, said he thinks the city has a chance to really make an impact on this issue, depending on how the council proceeds.
“I think Joliet does have a tremendous opportunity to be a leader, here, in the Chicago-land area for animal rights,” he said.
Rodriguez said wanted to thank the committee, the Joliet City Council and the public for keeping the conversation going.
“My personal opinion, as a citizen of Joliet and as a cat owner, I feel that the ordinances that were proposed as a compromise while they do good, and I think that they should move forward as you guys voted on, I don’t feel that they addressed the core issue enough,” he said. “I’d like to see that the committee continue that conversation about the original ordinance that was written in 2015. I think that’s the key here.”
Furry Babies owner Ana Soskic took a moment to address the committee, as well, expressing her support for pet stores, like hers, that support humane practices and acknowledged that sub-standard breeders do exist.
“We provide our customers with everything they need to make sure that they understand where their dog is coming from,” she said.
A separate rule presented to the committee deals with the public sale or giveaway of pets, as well as the open-air transport of them. The City of Joliet is eying this proposal, which would address such violations.
In a series of 3-0 votes, the committee came to a consensus to adopt the ordinance regulating the public sale, giveaway and transportation of pets and move the new puppy mills laws to the Joliet City Council for consideration at its Nov. 21 meeting.