SPRINGDALE : Council outlaws pet sales on street
Posted on Thursday, August 28, 2008
SPRINGDALE — It’s time to find a county niche for those who make their living on roadside pet sales.
On Tuesday, Springdale became the last of the region’s major cities to either ban or tightly regulate the practice when aldermen passed an ordinance, tagged with an emergency clause, making such sales illegal immediately.
If breeders want to sell pups to motorists in the dog market, they’ll have to set up in unincorporated areas of Washington and Benton counties, which do not have bans.
Fed up with impromptu markets that sprang up each weekend along U. S. 71 B and U. S. 412, the City Council passed a measure that, while opposed by some, also enjoyed staunch support from pet health advocates.
“I was thrilled with the outcome,” said Chaddie Pratt, referring to the council’s vote.
Pratt, owner of Dog Party USA and a member of the board of directors for the Humane Society of the Ozarks, appeared at City Hall on Tuesday and said “backyard breeders” sell inbred dogs that are “sick, crazy and stupid.” Beverly Llewellyn, a breeder of Shelties in West Fork, also made an emotional plea to the council.
“[Responsible breeders ] don’t sell animals on the side of the street,” Llewellyn said, as tears filled her eyes. “Breeders like myself get ill when we drive by and see puppies being sold on the side of the road.” Benton County Judge Gary Black said right now his county has no problem with roadside puppy sales, but if that changes, “we’ll address it at that time.” The Springdale hub for roadside sales was the Kmart parking lot on West Sunset Avenue and the old Sam’s Club lot on Thompson Street. As complaints mounted, the Police Department decided to stop last Saturday to check for permits that allow for temporary outdoor sales of any wares, not just pets.
The department ticketed two dog vendors, one at each location. Dorothy Doke appears in Springdale District Court today, while David Hoye pleaded guilty Tuesday and was issued a suspended fine of $ 250.
Not all pet peddlers, however, flouted Springdale’s preban ordinance.
Celia and Tommy Wood of Van Buren, who specialize in two breeds, the Shih Tzu and the bichon frise, purchased temporary permits and moved from location to location, as the ordinance for temporary permits stipulates, to make sure they were in accordance with the local law. Celia Wood said she and her husband make sure they sell healthy puppies that have all the necessary shots as well as health histories of the parent dogs.
She told aldermen that the couple’s clientele love their pets and that buyers would vouch for the quality of the animals they purchased. Celia Wood said she had planned on bringing her customers to City Hall for the third reading and final vote on the ordinance.
Thinking she had until Sept. 9 to rally supporters and argue against the ban, Wood said she felt like the City Council had “pooped” on her by voting on the issue as an emergency.
Her address was not enough to sway the council, which approved the ban shortly thereafter.
Alderman Bobby Stout said the rules for dog sales should be no different from those for hair salons, pizza parlors and insurance agencies, all of which operate in permanent facilities under the authority of city-issued business licenses.
“The other towns did away with [roadside pet sales ], so we should do away with it,” Stout said.
Rogers, Fayetteville and Lowell all have bans, while Bentonville has tough regulations for outdoor pet sales.
Alderman Kathy Jaycox wanted to make sure that the public knew that by banning roadside dog sales, Springdale was not putting Celia and Tommy Wood out of business.
“They can still sell from their home,” Jaycox said.
FEEDBACK:
Something to say about this topic? Submit a Letter to the Editor online
