Council moves forward with pet ordinance in Lexington; will have second vote in June

LEXINGTON, Ky. (WTVQ) — The first reading for a proposed pet store and puppy mill ordinance in Lexington went before the full urban county council on Thursday night.

Councilmember Shayla Lynch voicing concerns over wording in the ordinance and asked for, “I move that we postpone it to our June 27 council meeting for first reading.”

But councilmember Jennifer Reynolds saying, “I disagree with it, because our next council meeting for second reading is in four weeks, June 13. And I think that’s ample time to shore up the wording where there was a little bit of confusion about enforcement.”

It’s a ban that if passed would stop the sale of dogs and cats from puppy mills at pet stores in Lexington.

But the motion to delay the first reading failed.

Right now, three cities in the state have similar bans, Louisville, Elizabethtown and Radcliff.

“The consumer protection aspect of making sure that unsuspecting consumers do not inadvertently fall prey to undesirable business practices, sometimes predatory business practices and purchase seriously ill inbred unsocialized puppies or kittens with all the associated costs financial and emotional that, that involves,” said Diane Parrish of Make A Difference Now, who was in attendance at the meeting.

Others also agreeing that the pet ordinance is necessary in the city.

“There’s no justifiable reason to have a pet store that sells dogs and cats when we’re euthanizing that many animals have a pet store partners with shelters and rescues to promote adoptable cats and dogs that’s why I’m asking you to continue making progress on this ordinance,” added Nicole Gaines, who lives in the 9th district.

With the motion failing to pass to delay the first reading, a second reading, and final vote is expected to take place on June 13th.