Richmond, BC, is considering a companion animal sales ban on shopping mall pet stores in an effort to diminish the consumer demand fuelling the puppy mill industry. Store owners oppose the ban and say responsible retailers add benefits and credibility to the industry.

Following legislation already passed in two California cities, Richmond’s ban (the first in Canada) would allow adoption from animal shelters and buying from private breeders. Possible amendments to an animal sales ban may include permission for pet stores to offer animal adoption or work in conjunction with local animal shelters.

The supporters of the ban argue that pet stores do not screen owners before purchase and impulsive shopping contributes to the inhumane treatment of animals. From the National Post:

“Mr. Johnston [Richmond City Council member]) points to a CBC documentary, aired last year, that traced puppies sold in Canadian pet stores back to U.S. puppy mills, where dogs are bred in harsh, unsanitary conditions with little regard for health. The Humane Society of the United States has also linked pet supply chains to puppy mills. And the Richmond Animal Protection Society notes a steady stream of surrendered dogs, originally bought from pet stores, whose owners lose interest once their purchases outgrow the cute puppy stage.”

Richmond’s shopping mall pet store owners oppose the ban, saying their responsible business operations discourage impulse shopping. Some say their high prices encourage well-informed consumers. Others say they treat their business as well as they treat their store animals; they offer guarantees, professional advice and their animals are checked by veterinarians.

Pet store owners also argue that a ban may open up an even less regulated black market for puppy sales.

If you’ve been affected by the practices of shopping mall pet stores, please consider using Legal Action to recover any financial hardships you have suffered  in small claims court.

Do you agree with an animal retail ban for shopping mall pet stores in your city or province?

Sometimes it doesn’t pay to do a good deed. Police nab the `good guy’ when Ontario driver is caught, charged and convicted of street-racing after a 911 dispatch operator told him to “get the plate” of another driver waving a gun.

Taki Christopolous was driving home from downtown Toronto when a man pulled up beside him at a stop light, made a rude hand gesture and pulled out a gun. Immediately calling 911 to report the incident, the operator instructed Christopolous to get the license plate number of the instigator’s vehicle.

A high-speed highway chase ensued until Constable Sven Wiggermann pulled over Christopolous and charged him with “chasing” – a violation of Ontario’s stunt driving law. They impounded his BMW and suspended his license for seven days.

Toronto paralegal Philip Alexiu, the defendant’s legal representative, offered an “officially-induced error” defence in an October 2009 trial. From MacLeans.ca:

“He accelerated briefly to try and obtain the plate, and then slowed right back down when he realized the other vehicle was going much too fast,” says his paralegal, Phil Alexiu. “And the only reason he even accelerated was because he was directed by 911 to see if he could obtain the plate.”

While Christopolous maintains he never exceeded 120 km/h, the traffic officer testified the defendant’s BMW weaved between lanes and, at one point, clocked in at 168 km/h.

Toronto Justice of the Peace, Mary Ross Hendriks, ruled in favour of the Crown and said the advice of the 911 operator “was akin to a discussion with an appropriate official, not authorization to engage in high-speed pursuit.”

Christopolous was fined $2,000 and has filed an appeal.

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