Calif. city bans sale of dogs, cats

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IRVINE, Calif., Oct. 12 (UPI) -- Irvine, Calif., has banned the retail sale of dogs and cats, as well as rodeos and circuses featuring exotic animals, city officials said.

The Irvine City Council voted 4-1 Tuesday in favor of the ban, motivated by concern over large-scale breeding operations, The Orange County (Calif.) Register reported. The vote drew a standing ovation from a majority of the 53 people who attended the hearing, the newspaper said.

People are "moving toward a more thoughtful and conscientious approach to animals," Claire Kim told the council in response to the ban. "This ordinance responds to the spirit of our times."

The lone dissenter on the council, Councilman Jeff Lalloway said he didn't agree with increasing business regulations though he strongly condemns animal abuse.

Dave Link, owner of Precision Pet Products in Costa Mesa, Calif., said the retail sales restriction would be "bad for the pet industry, bad for the economy, bad for the city of Irvine."

Irvine Co., the owner of many shopping centers in the city, had said in August it would not rent space to pet shops selling dogs and cats. Only one business will be affected by the ban, but will be allowed to continue selling the animals until its lease runs out in October 2012.