– The Red Bank Borough Council has rescheduled a vote for July 18 on an ordinance that concerns the sale of dogs and cats from commercial breeders.
A public hearing on the ordinance was held during the council’s June 27 meeting.
According to the June 27 meeting agenda, the ordinance was scheduled for a public hearing that evening, with a possible vote for adoption by the council. Before opening the public hearing, Mayor Pasquale Menna said the council would not vote on the ordinance that evening, but would listen to public comments.
The ordinance will, if adopted, prohibit the sale of dogs and cats at pet shops that have obtained their animals from commercial breeders, which some people refer to as puppy mills.
According to the ordinance, pet shops would only be permitted to sell dogs and cats which they have received from animal shelters and rescue organizations. Violators could face fines ranging from $500 to $2000 for each unauthorized animal.
The owner of Bark Avenue Puppies, West Front Street, has previously said he has the only business in Red Bank that would be affected by the ordinance if it becomes law.
Bark Avenue Puppies specializes in the retail sale of designer mixes, bulldog puppies and toy breeds, according to the company’s website, which states the business is “100 percent committed to eliminating all substandard breeding operations from coast-to-coast … If you can find the puppy of your dreams at a shelter we always recommend that be your first choice. However, if you are looking for something unique, a puppy that begins its existence at your home and does not come with previous baggage, you may want to consider shopping at Bark Avenue.”
During public comment, individuals spoke in favor of and against the adoption of the ordinance. Many people who spoke were not residents of Red Bank, but indicated they had a particular interest in the issue.
Nancy Jenkins of Marlboro, an employee of “3 Hearts 4 Paws,” an animal rescue facility in Marlboro, spoke in favor of the ordinance.
In an interview after the public hearing, Jenkins said, “I get the dogs after the bodies have been broken … When they (puppy mills) don’t want them anymore, they throw them away … Every dog I have taken from a puppy mill has lost almost all of their teeth. I have yet to find one we have taken after they were done breeding that does not have mammary tumors, cancer, or heart murmurs.”
Jenkins said puppy mills are notorious for their inadequate and oftentimes neglectful care of animals. She called the practice inhumane.
Karen Thomsen, a local attorney and member of the Red Bank Animal Welfare Advisory Committee, offered to provide a reduced rate for her legal services if the ordinance is adopted and a legal challenge to the law is filed.
Thomsen said she collected almost 200 signatures at a “Dog Days” event that was held in Marine Park on June 25 from people who said they support the adoption of the ordinance.
“These are mainly your constituents,” Thomsen told council members. “People didn’t fly in from out of town to go to ‘Dog Days’ in Red Bank on a Monday night for two hours. You have broad support from your constituents.”
Thomsen said that after collecting signatures on a petition on several occasions, she believes there is broad-based support for the adoption of the ordinance from residents of Red Bank and surrounding municipalities.
Borough resident Sean Di Somma, who opposes the ordinance, said, “It’s pretty clear that what we see tonight are No. 1, paid activists, and No. 2, folks advocating for a single closure of a business in town.”
“Just because somebody comes and offers to change your tire for free doesn’t mean you want them changing your tire,” Di Somma said in response to Thomsen’s offer to represent the borough at a discounted rate if the ordinance is adopted and subsequently faces a legal challenge.
“This is really unfair,” he continued. “We have had systemic failure at Borough Hall and yet we are trying to close a guy’s business over nonsense … Instead of doing this, do your job. … Stop targeting one man and one business.”
The mayor and council members listened to the comments from the members of the public, but did not engage in a debate on the merits of the proposed ordinance.
Following the public hearing, members of the public who were in attendance to follow the pet shop issue left the municipal building and regrouped outside where they continued to discuss the matter.
