BRADENTON, Fla. — Some Manatee County neighbors are upset about a pet store they have described as a puppy mill. They are concerned about the treatment, condition and sale of animals at the store, and they want it closed down.
Neighbors first started expressing their protest about the activities of Sunshine Puppies on Cortez Road in a viral post on social media. That led them to take to the streets of Bradenton to protest over allegations of inhumane treatment and selling of pets.
In the post that triggered the community to take action, the neighbor reported an overpowering smell of urine, puppies kept in wire cages with some lethargic and unable to stand as well as older puppies on discount prices.
"The dogs come from conditions that are puppy mill situations," said Veronica DeMaggio, who organized the protest.
More than 50 people joined in the protest holding placards while cars honked to show support. It's the second such protest in just a few days.
"The community really is against the pet store selling dogs in the stores here," DeMaggio added.
Three years ago, Manatee County Commissioners voted to ban the sale of live animals at pet stores but early last year, that ban was reversed by a new set of commissioners. That reversal came after a lawsuit from two stores.
Now with a total of three puppy shops selling pets in the area and fears that number would grow, the community wants commissioners to reinstate the ban and shut down such stores.
"I will make a motion to reenact our ban today if I had the votes to do so," Manatee County Commissioner George Kruse said.
"There are questions about the metal cages, whether or not they have flat flooring, how often the pets are being taken out for proper care, and how the veterinary care is being done. Whether or not they're meeting the bar becomes a question of whether or not that bar is too low," Kruse explained.
More than 70 local municipalities in Florida have a ban on the sale of dogs and cats in pet stores, including Sarasota.
"Pet Smart and these other pet stores seemingly can be very profitable without selling dogs and cats and rabbits and other live animals. This is a terrible practice and a way of making a profit for these stores and it needs to be shut down. It's not what Manatee County wants to be known for," Kruse said.
"Shelters are overflowing with dogs right now and we want people to look at them first," DeMaggio said.
10 Tampa Bay reached out to Sunshine Puppies for a response to the protest and are waiting to hear back.
Meanwhile, Commissioner Kruse said he plans to bring forward a motion to reinstate the ban after the newly elected commissioners take their seats in late November.