LEXINGTON, Ky. (WKYT) – The Kentucky Senate Standing Committee on Agriculture was split on a bill that sought to prohibit retail pet shops from selling dogs or cats unless the animal was obtained from an animal shelter or qualified breeder.
“My goal in bringing this bill was to balance private business rights from overreach, what I viewed as overreach, while still preserving local control on how businesses operate,” said Sen. Jason Howell, R-Murray.
In June 2024, the city of Lexington passed a ban on the public sale of cats and dogs.
The difference, according to representatives from Petland, one of the two Lexington stores impacted by the ban, is that Senate Bill 122 would have prioritized safety without putting a damper on business rights, which is what Petland accuses the city government’s ban of doing.
“Allowing local governments to impose bans based on incomplete or missing information fragments the market and undermines the state’s ability to set uniform standards,” said Elizabeth Kunzelman, vice president of legislative and public affairs for Petland, Inc.
On the side in opposition to Senate Bill 122 was the Kentucky League of Cities, who echoed a viewpoint they often take on state matters involving local municipalities.
“Local decisions are best made at the local level, and as a result, we have the KLC board of directors opposing the decision,” said James Chaney, executive director and Ceo of the Kentucky League of Cities.
Petland has a lawsuit pending against the Lexington-Fayette Urban County Government on their ban.
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