Hardin County has passed an ordinance banning the sale of dogs and cats in parking lots and flea markets, making it the second county in Kentucky to adopt such a ban.
Leaders say the practice has led to overcrowding at local animal shelters. They also say the sales are often inhumane and can put buyers at financial risk.
Hardin County District 1 Magistrate Chris Yates led the effort to pass the ordinance at the county level. He said sellers would set up in parking lots on weekends regardless of conditions.
Yates said many of the animals come from puppy mills.
Yates said sellers were traveling from out of state to sell animals in Hardin County.
Elizabethtown city councilmember Julia Springsteen has volunteered for years at the Hardin County Animal Shelter.
Elizabethtown passed its own ordinance in October 2021. Springsteen said that before the ordinance, animal control could only question sellers about business licenses.
Radcliff city councilwoman Toshie Murrell, who started her own dog rescue, said shelters and rescues are overwhelmed.
Murrell said she hopes the ban eventually extends statewide.
Officials say the ordinance is also about protecting buyers from unknowingly purchasing sick animals and end up with thousands of dollars of vet bills.
Springsteen said the ordinance does not stop people from buying purebred animals through other means.
Hardin County Animal Control Director Mike McNutt said the shelter is currently at capacity as officers prepare to enforce the new ordinance. Officers could cite sellers as well as the businesses that allow the sales to take place in their parking lots.
McNutt said officers plan to focus on known problem areas.
McNutt said four officers, including himself, will respond to calls related to the ordinance.
He said officers will issue warnings before citations in most cases, but the ordinance also allows action against property owners who allow the sales.
McNutt said the ordinance marks a step forward after decades in the field.
Source: WDRB+WAVE
You must be logged in to post a comment.