Last Update: 8/16 11:28 am
LAWTON, Okla. (AP) - The Lawton City Council plans to impose a $500 fee on pet store owners who sell dogs and cats that have not been spayed or neutered.
Council members voted 7-1 on Tuesday to impose the fee to help control the city's pet population.
Pet store owners must have a permit to sell puppies and kittens that have not been spayed or neutered, and must get a permit for every 50 animals they sell each year. They are limited to up to four permits a year.
City officials say the ordinance is an effort to cut down on the number of unwanted dogs and cats.
"I'm in favor of the highest cost we can get," said Randy Warren, a city council member. "Pet shops aren't the problem, but they contribute to the problem. We can't stop the sale of animals, but we can limit the sale and trading of unaltered animals that have the potential to produce more."
"They just want more money," said Jo McCutcheon, owner of Fins and Critters. "They didn't even give us a chance to speak. I guess they just want less people to have pets. They're going after us because they can't go after the people who let their dogs run."
McCutcheon said the new fee will add between $150 and $200 to the price of puppies at her store.
City officials estimate more than 7,500 dogs and cats are euthanized each year.
The city recently passed a series of ordinances that requires pet owners to register their pets, for a fee, and pay a fine if their unaltered animal is picked up by animal control.
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Information from: The Oklahoman, http://www.newsok.com
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