Law would discourage puppy mills

The North Fork Animal Welfare League is in full support of a bill introduced by Legis. Jon Cooper (D-Lloyd Harbor) that would ban the retail sale of puppies by pet stores in Suffolk County, unless they are obtained from animal shelters, animal rescue organizations or local breeders ["Levy vetoes law on pet ownership," News, June 11].

All of the puppies that were originally purchased from local pet stores and then abandoned at the Southold Animal Shelter, identified by microchip, came from huge, out-of-state puppy brokerage houses known as puppy mills.

While the league is aware that this proposed local law alone would not close down these hellholes, it makes a very clear statement regarding what the residents of Suffolk County are willing to participate in. If this law passes, our community is unequivocally saying that we will not encourage, enable, or support the brutal and inhumane puppy mill industry.

This law can be an example of acting locally to promote national change.

Gillian Wood Pultz, Peconic

Editor's note: The writer is the executive director of the league.