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San Francisco considers ban on sale of most pets

The Associated Press

Posted: 07/09/2010 12:59:19 AM PDT

Updated: 07/09/2010 12:59:19 AM PDT

SAN FRANCISCO—After several hours of hearings, San Francisco officials have tabled a measure that would have banned the sale of pets, except fish, throughout the city.

During the hearings that began Thursday evening and ran into the night, supporters of the ban said animal shelters are overrun by people who buy hamsters, parrots, snakes and other animals from pet stores on impulse, then regret the purchase.

Under the proposal, San Francisco residents would have had to go outside the city to purchase pets.

Pet store owners argued against the measure, telling the city's Commission of Animal Control and Welfare that it would put them out of business.
www.fresnobee.com/2010/07/08/1999999/san-francisco-considers-ban-on.html

If "sale of pets" WERE to be banned in any municipality, would pet shops suddenly morph into "therapy animal" stores? I'm sure we could dig up studies on the positive psychological benefits of pet ownership, especially the calming aspects of watching fish (and reptiles) in their enclosures, thereby justifying the continued sale of animals--just not as "pets."

Similar to the 600 "medicinal marijuana" shops, I could see such a transformation take place regarding pet shops.
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Chris McMartin
www.mcmartinville.com
I'm Not a Herpetologist, but I Play One on the Internet

Unlikely - PETA does not recognize therapy animals nor working animals as legitimate uses of animals ( there are no legitimate uses of animals in their eyes) and anyone that passes such a ban is likely to include such language as to exclude them.

I'm about sick and tired of our Shadow Government - PETA and HSUS.
It seems our elected officials have outsourced their responsibilities.
jsc
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"As hard as I've tried, just can't NOT do this"
John Crickmer

And I just watched on CNN one of the host ladies (forget her name) went on a rant about how she hopes the proposed law in San Francisco spreads throughout the rest of the country.

Is she the one that said she was "honnered" to interview the founder of the first Black Panthers! These people are creeps. They hate America. I wish I could Telaport them to Iran, see how she does their. Maybe get stoned with the guy's. VM

Jane Velez Mitchell is her name

Go to her website and on her home page she has a list of her favorite websites. They include PETA, The Humane Society, and about 10 other animal rights groups. Some I have never heard of.

On his show The O'Reilly Factor, Bill O'Reilly ridiculed the proposal to ban pet sales in San Francisco. He quipped about selling marijuana in shops around the city, but selling a hampster could get you arrested? Watch the RR on Fox later this evening.
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USARK