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Board of County Commissioners <br />Meeting Minutes - Final October 16, 2018 <br />In response to questions from Chairman O'Bryan and Vice Chairman Solari, Dr. <br />Butler provided a detailed explanation of the difference between family <br />breeders and puppy mills, making mention of the horrific conditions of puppy <br />mills. She suggested that a reputable breeder would have a maximum of 4 or 6 <br />dogs in their home and that they would be bred in the home one (1) time per <br />year. She shared that she was not aware of an independent company that <br />monitors and certifies reputable breeders and pet stores. <br />Chairman O'Bryan mentioned a video clip of puppies that were left alone with <br />feces in the cages, and he requested an explanation from Mr. Doherty regarding <br />the procedure followed when a customer requests to spend time with a puppy <br />prior to purchasing. In addition, he inquired about the location of the family <br />breeders where he purchases puppies for his stores. Mr. Doherty advised that <br />the puppies were never unattended, and that there were always two (2) <br />employees tending to the animals. Mr. Doherty estimated that he purchased <br />pets from 15 family breeders within Florida and roughly 40 family breeders <br />outside the State. He clarified that he does not purchase puppies from any <br />family breeders within the County. <br />In response to an inquiry from Vice Chairman Solari, Emergency Services <br />Director and Fire Chief Tad Stone was present to confirm that he was not aware <br />of any puppy mills in Indian River County, nor: was he aware of any puppy <br />monitoring and certifying agencies within the area. <br />The following speakers were opposed to banning the sale of dogs and cats at <br />pet stores: <br />Alexandria Julian, 2124. W. Brandon Boulevard, Brandon, who presented an <br />informational folder to the Board <br />Natalia Sanabria, 7706 N. Taliaferro Avenue, Tampa, who presented an <br />informational folder to the Board <br />Christa Gosheras, 13705 N. Dale Mabry Highway, Tampa, who presented an <br />informational folder to the Board <br />Daniela Coffey, 13527 Little Park Drive, Tampa <br />(Clerk's Note: Informational folders are on file in the office of the Clerk to the <br />Board.) <br />Mr. Doherty invited the members of the Board to visit his store and, following a <br />request from Chairman O'Bryan, agreed to provide the Board with a list of all <br />the breeders that he had purchased from in the past year. <br />Chairman O'Bryan thanked the Public for their: input. . <br />No Action Taken or Required <br />Indian River County Florida <br />Page 12 <br />