A proposal that could be heard this month by the L.A. City Council would basically outlaw retail pet sales in Los Angeles, at least for three years.

The ordinance by Councilman Paul Koretz aims to ease overcrowding and the killing of unclaimed pets at city animal shelters. It would allow stores to sell pets obtained from shelters or registered “rescue” groups.

Of course, the pet store contingent isn't too happy:

Michael Canning, president of the Pet Industry Joint Advisory Council based in Washington, D.C., told the Daily Breeze that such a ban would have an opposite effect, making things worse for pets:

This will just drive people to sell their puppies on the Internet or some other unregulated way like the flea markets or out of their trunks on the street.

Here's the crux of the ordinance, as drawn up by the L.A. City Attorney's office:

It shall be unlawful for any person to sell any live dog, cat or rabbit in any pet store, retail business or other commercial establishment located in the City of Los Angeles, unless the dog, cat or rabbit was obtained from an animal shelter or a humane society located in the City of Los Angeles, or a non-profit rescue and humane organization registered with the Department of Animal Services.

Koretz told the Breeze that passing such a law would be a step toward having “no-kill” animal shelters in L.A.

Animal rights' advocates said that L.A. is such an influential city that if the ordinance passes other towns would follow suit with similar rules.

[@dennisjromero / djromero@laweekly.com / @LAWeeklyNews]

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