Governor bans sidewalk sales of puppies, kittens

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Gov. Jerry Brown on Tuesday signed into law a measure banning the sale of animals on street corners and other public property in hopes of reducing the number of poorly run puppy mills in California.

SB 917 also sets tougher penalties for those convicted of animal abuse or cruelty, allowing a maximum jail sentence of one year in cruelty cases and a fine of up to $20,000.

Sen. Ted Lieu (D-Torrance) said the goal of his bill is to improve conditions for animals sold in the state.

‘Because current health and safety regulations for animal sales do not apply to roadside sales, young animals are being sold that are often mistreated, ill or diseased and there’s no way to track the seller,” Lieu said.

The bill would not prevent the owner of a dog that has puppies from selling the animals from a private property, said a spokesman for the senator. It also allows the sale from animal shelters.

Lieu’s measure is co-sponsored by the State Humane Assn. of California, the Humane Society of the United States, the ASPCA and the SPCA Los Angeles.

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-- Patrick McGreevy