Nanaimo SPCA appeals to City Council for pet sale ban

Davis said they can inspect where animals are sold from locally, but without regulations in place it’s difficult to track the dogs and follow any evidence of mishandling or poor breeding.

One local store, called Paws n Jaws, sells puppies. Owner Barry Bender spoke before City Council Monday night and said since roughly 40 per cent of his business is puppy sales, the ban would effectively put him out of business.

“We do not get our puppies from puppy mills, we buy them from humane breeders and we know the difference,” he told Council. “We provide care, exercise and love for our puppies. Veterinarians examine them at least twice, once before they’re sold and once again within three days of being sold. We know dogs and we know how to take care of them.”

Coun. Sheryl Armstrong asked if they keep records of where their animals come from.

Bender said he would be okay with providing the information only to the City, citing privacy concerns.

“(Our clients) aren’t really concerned about the exact location because they know that we’re the people and the buck stops with us.”

Mayor Bill McKay asked Bender about references to Paws n Jaws in the SPCA’s proposal, which claimed the store was accused of various health and welfare issues over the last decade.

Bender said they’ve had very few dealings with the SPCA and the last time someone came to their store was due to a complaint about a dog looking unwell.

According to Bender and his staff, the dog in question had hair in its eyes and the issue was dealt with.

Davis said he’s inquiring with legal counsel about how much he can say on the matter, but confirmed the SPCA has received many calls about the store and their constable paid Paws n Jaws a visit numerous times.

NanaimoNewsNOW reached out to Paws n Jaws for comment and were told Bender would be unavailable as he recuperated from being unprepared for media scrutiny following his appearance at Council.

Davis said the SPCA is open to working with Paws n Jaws to help them stop selling puppies while still staying in business, much like they’ve done with other stores in the past.

“This has been a movement among pet stores for more than a decade now,” he said. “They saw it coming, so they adjusted their business plans.”

Monday night, Council decided to review the recommendations put forward by the Nanaimo BCSPCA and have City staff look at it before making a decision.

spencer@nanaimonewsnow.com

On Twitter: @spencer_sterrit

by Spencer Sterritt

Nanaimo SPCA appeals to City Council for pet sale ban

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