Owners of area pet stores and a Missouri breeder filed a lawsuit Tuesday aiming to block a city ordinance targeting large-scale breeders.
The lawsuit — filed by the owners of Park Pet Shop and Pocket Puppies Boutique and Missouri breeder Cedar Woods Farm — opposes the ordinance, which would effectively ban Chicago retail shops from selling animals purchased from commercial breeders.
Critics say these so-called puppy mills provide poor living conditions and produce unhealthy pets. Proponents counter that licensed breeders raise animals responsibly and ethically and cater to customers who want purebred puppies.
The law goes into effect March 5 and mandates that Chicago pet shops can only sell cats, dogs and rabbits purchased from an animal shelter, nonprofit humane society or a nonprofit animal rescue organization.
The suit is similar to one filed against Cook County in October. That ordinance banned the sale of pets from commercial breeders.
Affected pet store owners sued in federal court, temporarily blocking the ban. The group of plaintiffs argued that it was too vague, interfered with interstate commerce and violated their right to equal protection under the law.
The lawsuit against the city similarly argues that the ordinance is too vague and would “cause financial ruin” because it will put pet shops and breeders out of business.
Cedar Wood Farms, which sells puppies to pet stores in Chicago, said in the suit it would be prohibited from doing so and lose business if the ordinance is enforced.
Park Pet Shop, which gets more than 90 percent of its puppies from out-of-state breeders, said it would also lose business, according to the suit.
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