Franklin May Ban Puppy Mill Pets

FRANKLIN, TN -- The city of Franklin may ban pet stores from selling pets procured from puppy mills.

Ward One Alderwoman Beverly Burger asked city staff to develop an ordinance which largely parallels one passed by the Metro Nashville Council last month. The Nashville law only allows pet stores to sell cats and dogs from rescue groups or animal shelters. Buyers would still be permitted to get pets directly from breeders, a move Burger argues would let consumers examine the conditions at the breeding facility.

(For more updates on this story and free news alerts for your neighborhood, sign up for your local Middle Tennessee Patch morning newsletter.)

An existing Franklin pet store - Pawfect Puppy - would still be allowed to sell so-called designer dogs under the proposal provided it only sells animals from a United States Department of Agriculture licensed breeder with no violations and if that breeder's name and address is listed on the front of the animal's enclosure.

“Since 2016, the Pawfect Puppy has sold hundreds of happy and healthy puppies to families throughout Middle Tennessee. We have always stood behind our store health and congenital birth defect warranty and will continue to do so. We look forward to continuing to operate our family owned business in Williamson County," Pawfect Puppy said through its attorney in a statement to Fox 17.

There's no date set for the formal proposal of the ordinance.

Photo by Penny Adams via Metro Animal Care and Control