No more selling animals from ‘puppy mills’

At the recent Union City Board of Commissioners meeting on Tuesday, July 12, officials passed a number of laws affecting local businesses, including prohibiting pet shops from selling animals from “puppy or kitten mills,” and an ordinance banning certain businesses from opening before 5 a.m.
Among the ordinances passed was one saying businesses can’t open before 5 a.m. or stay open after midnight – with several types excluded: hotels and motels, diners, movie theatres, 24-hour convenience stores and pharmacies, gas stations, medical and dental offices or hospitals, nursing homes, and rehabilitation centers.
Activities such as cleaning, stocking, loading or unloading a truck, or garbage disposal can still be completed after-hours. The commissioners said that because homes are so close to businesses in Union City, a densely populated city, they found this ordinance to be the least intrusive method to ensure health and safety.

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Businesses must file for an entertainment permit if they expect more than 200 people to an “entertainment event.”
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The commissioners also took aim at another potential health issue – “puppy mills,” places that breed cats and dogs in inhumane conditions. The ordinance defines a mill as a “large-scale, commercial breeding facility where the health and welfare of the animals are substandard.” According to officials, “a significant number” of puppies and kittens sold at pet shops are bought from mills. Pet shops and owners must now only obtain cats and dogs from animal care facilities, rescue organizations like a pound, or shelter.
The new law specifically prevents pet shops from selling, breeding, or disposing of cats or dogs from puppy or kitten mills.
According to the New Jersey Department of Health’s 2014 Animal Intake Disposition Survey, 304 cats and dogs had to be euthanized in Hudson County that year. No-kill shelters typically euthanize pets who are very sick, and some shelters, euthanize pets that aren’t able to be adopted out. Officials said there are documented problems of mills over breeding, inbreeding, having poor quality of food and shelter, and overcrowding. This may lead to health and behavioral issues in the animal.
Officials said consumers are unaware of purchasing these animals from pet shops, and can lead to financial and emotional costs for them.
In fact, there were recent cases in Hudson County where families bought a sick pet from a local shop and found out it had major health issues.
The ordinance says, “The board wishes to express its support for the humane care and treatment of animals, promote community awareness of the issue of puppy and kitten mills, and encourage individuals and families to adopt dogs and cats from animal rescue organizations or reputable breeders.”
Any pet shop owner or operator in violation will receive a fine of $1,000 or less for each violation, and/or community service for no more than 90 days.

Businesses now require entertainment permits, police presence

Officials also adopted an ordinance for businesses and venues to file for an entertainment permit if 200 people or more are expected to attend an “entertainment event” at the business or venue. The permit requires two officers present at the event for the attendance of 200 people. For an expectation of 300 people, three officers would be present, and so on.
Entertainment for a business or venue could include live music, a DJ, comedy or dance, sporting event, and more.
Officials said this ordinance is to help reduce the effects with entertainment venues near residential areas or other businesses, and to ensure safety. Officials said entertainment venues can be a nuisance or a place where criminal activities begin.