Pet Shops Can’t Take Bite Out of Puppy Mills Regulation

A Chicago regulation limiting the sources from which pet shops can obtain dogs, cats, and rabbits doesn’t violate the Illinois Constitution, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit ruled Sept. 21 (Park Pet Shop, Inc. v. City of Chicago, 2017 BL 334298, 7th Cir., No. 15-3711, 9/21/17).

The regulation says stores can’t source pets from “large mill-style breeders, which are notorious for deplorable conditions and abusive breeding practices,” the decision by Judge Diane S. Sykes said.

Two stores—Park Pet Shop and Pocket Pets—alleged that the ordinance exceeded the powers given to the city under the state ...