EASTON, Pa. — Easton soon may expand animal protections, banning the sale of domestic and wild creatures throughout the city.
City Council on Wednesday introduced an ordinance to amend Easton's regulations regarding retail pet shops to go beyond protection for dogs, cats, rabbits and guinea pigs to include all mammals, fishes, birds, reptiles and amphibians.
The ordinance would explicitly ban the sales of such animals at pet shops, and prohibit shelters and rescues to pay for animals from breeders.
Fines for offenses could be up to $500 per offense.
'Profits over animal wellbeing'
Several supporters for animal rights groups showed up at city hall in support of the measure.
Pennsylvania Voters for Animals board member Sheryl Petrillo said the passing of the previous animal ordinance banning dogs, cats, rabbits and guinea pigs in the city was a “momentous day” for Easton.
But Petrillo said it required the introduced ordinance to be more inclusive of other animals.
“This isn't just about banning sales. It's about encouraging, adopting and supporting our local shelters who are working tired tirelessly in an already overburdened system."Pennsylvania Voters for Animals board member Sheryl Petrillo
“This isn't just about banning sales," she said. "It's about encouraging, adopting and supporting our local shelters who are working tired tirelessly in an already overburdened system."
PAVFA Co-Founder and Board President Suzanne Gonzalez explained the concept of large-scale commercial breeding operations that supply pet shops with small animals.
“These breeding mills prioritize profits over animal wellbeing,” Gonzalez said.
“The animals are often kept in inhumane conditions, including the warehousing of animals in filthy, crowded cages, small plastic containers or tanks, often stacked one upon another.
"Animals are often not provided adequate nutrition, clean water or veterinary care, leading to serious health issues, even death.
"And there is a lack of strong legal protections for these species.”
And it’s not just the animals who are hurt, Gonzalez said.
She said potential pet parents often are deceived about animals’ origins or care regimes, which can result in unexpected illnesses.
It also presents the potential for owners to simply release the animal into the wild, which could impact local ecosystems, she said.
Poorly kept animals could also harbor pathogens that could spread to humans, she said.
Store-to-rescue transition
Gonzalez said pet stores that now house animals could transition to only offering rescue and shelter animals for adoption,
She said programs exist to help with the transition.
Center for Animal Health and Welfare Executive Director Rose LoPiccolo spoke on her personal experience previously working in pet retail.
LoPiccolo said she was wrought with misinformed customers and a priority to push sales, often at the animals’ expenses.
“Help us show other municipalities that we can accomplish what we started and that we stand together, united as a population, to give a population without a voice a voice,” she said.
Zoning exclusion?
Easton Mayor Sal Panto Jr. said he discussed the ordinance Wednesday morning with solicitor Joel Scheer, touching upon whether it would be a zoning exclusion.
“An applicant who wants to establish a pet shop within the city limits could argue that we had de facto exclusionary zoning," Scheer said.
"Which, by case law, might give them the opportunity to open such a shop anywhere within the city, since it's not permitted anywhere."
While a pet shop could potentially open in the city, the ban on animal sales would limit their stock to pet supplies and food, he said.
Scheer recommended council evaluate the zoning code to ensure definitions such as “pet shop” do not fall under designations for retail space, and if there would be any discrepancies, add language for clarification.
