BRADENTON – At a long and contentious meeting Tuesday, Manatee County Commissioners voted to approve a ban on the retail sale of dogs and cats in Manatee County.
The ban, which had been driven by Commissioner Carol Whitmore, passed 4-3 with commissioners Kevin Van Ostenbridge, Vanessa Baugh, and James Satcher dissenting. Commissioners Reggie Bellamy, George Kruse, and Misty Servia lent their support to Whitmore's motion to approve the item.
Prior to the board's vote on the item, Commissioner Van Ostenbridge motioned to approve a hostile amendment that would have allowed certain existing businesses who otherwise complied with the ordinance to be grandfathered in. That motion failed 3-4, by the same split.
Existing businesses will have one year from the effective date of the ordinance to adapt their business models and be in compliance.
Editor's Note: the original article, as published, did not contain the last paragraph and has been updated to reflect that information.
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