Sarasota in Defense of Animals plans May 6 protest against Petland’s continued sales of animals in spite of new county law that went into effect this year

Event will be peaceful, organizers stress

(From left) Carol Winterfeldt, Mary Donohue and Carolyn Repeta showed support for the ban as they stood outside the County Administration Center in downtown Sarasota on Jan. 27, 2016. File photo

In an effort to persuade the owners of Petland Sarasota to abide by a Sarasota County law that went into effect in January, Sarasota in Defense of Animals (SDA) is planning a peaceful protest from 10 a.m. to noon on May 6 near the store, SDA has announced.

The gathering will be at the intersection of Fruitville Road and Honore Avenue in Sarasota, an SDA news release says. Petland is located in the shopping center at 5380 Fruitville Road, a news release notes.

In spite of a ban that began in January on the commercial sale of puppy-mill dogs and cats in Sarasota County, “Petland chose to file a lawsuit and continues to sell puppies,” the release explains. “The litigation is not only costing Sarasota County taxpayers a lot of money but enforcement of the ban has been delayed,” the release adds.

Petland’s owners allege that the county has violated their constitutional rights by implementing the new law.

Supporters of the ban are asked to sign up for the SDA protest through a Facebook link:

https://www.facebook.com/events/102620136965265/?ti=cl

The continued sale of dogs at Petland “is animal exploitation … and a burden to our legal system,” the release continues. It also “adds to the hard work of animal protection organizations and shelters,” the release says.