Bryant rule would limit animal sales

Bryant’s animal control director hopes city officials will restrict the advertising, selling and giving away of animals in public places when the City Council meets Thursday.

“It started about three years ago. We started having some folks come into town, pretty regularly, and they would set up along the side of the road” and sell or give away animals, Director of Bryant Animal Control Tricia Power said.

That practice moves unregistered and nonimmunized animals into the city and contributes to “the pet overpopulation problem,” according to the proposed ordinance that Power is backing.

The animal ordinance would restrict the sale or giveaway of animals, or the advertising of the sale or giveaway of animals in public spaces.

If the ordinance passes, violators would pay $100 to $200 for the first violation and $201 to $500 for any subsequent offense.

The ordinance would not apply to humane societies, animal control agencies or nonprofit entities.

“The exception is if they are part of an organized adoption event, which would get permission from me to set up. That way I just have an idea of what is going on in the town,” Power said.

Both Benton and Cabot have similar ordinances that have worked well, she said.

The only opposition Power has heard has come from residents who wonder how they would get rid of unwanted litters.

“This doesn’t keep peoplefrom putting an ad in the newspaper or selling their puppies from home,” Power said.

It does limit them from posting signs or advertisements in public places without approval from the city and without complying with the city’s sign ordinance.

Power added that Bryant Animal Control offers assistance for people looking to find a home for animals. Employees will post pictures of an animal that someone wants to put up for adoption on the facility’s website and Facebook page at no cost.

Northwest Arkansas, Pages 13 on 02/27/2013

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