A proposed ordinance would prohibit the retail sale of dogs and cats in Valparaiso, but it could be overruled by legislation in the General Assembly.
City Attorney Patrick Lyp told the Valparaiso City Council Monday that he drafted the ordinance, after the opening of a new pet store raised concerns from residents. "The ordinance before you looks prospectively at any additional businesses that wish to come into our community to do a similar or comparable business activity. Puppy Emporium would be exempt," Lyp explained.
The existing business would lose its grandfathered status if it shuts down for at least 30 consecutive days, under the proposed language. The business itself wants to limit that to a voluntary abandonment, to exclude mandated shutdowns like those that were in place for COVID-19. Meanwhile, council member Robert Cotton wants to extend that timeframe to up to six months, to match the exemptions in Valparaiso's zoning code. The proposed ordinance is based on input from the state director of the Humane Society and similar ordinances in Crown Point, Highland and Munster.
But a bill headed to the full Indiana Senate would prohibit such bans, if they weren't already in place by January 1. A House bill authored by Hebron Republican Mike Aylesworth would prohibit the current bans, as well.
The Portage City Council has decided to wait and see what happens with those bills before proceeding with its own efforts to further restrict pet stores. The Valpo City Council decided to move forward, putting its ordinance up for final approval on February 27.