Animal rights groups and pet store owners clashed at the state Capitol Monday over a proposed ban on sales of dogs, cats and rabbits.

Proponents showed lawmakers photos of what they consider dangerous and overcrowded “puppy mills.”

But retailers insisted that stores are highly regulated, their suppliers are safe – and that a ban could actually put animals in danger.

The legislation would ban pet stores from selling dogs, cats and rabbits by Oct. 1. Animal rights groups said it’s needed because there is a dark side to the puppies, kittens and bunnies in store displays.

“This legislation is critical to shutting down the cruel pipeline from large-scale breeding operations commonly known as ‘puppy mills,’” said Jennifer Walker, co-owner of Muddy Paws Barkery in Newington.

Under current state law, pet shops must source puppies from USDA-licensed breeders without certain violations and provide financial recourse to consumers with sick puppies.

But the Humane Society of the United States argued that USDA enforcement is too lax.

“Connecticut pet shops continue to source puppies from awful puppy mills that no Connecticut resident would knowingly support,” said Annie Hornish, the group’s state director. “From the puppy mill to the transport to the in-store conditions, these poor, weeks-old puppies have the health deck stacked against them.”

To illustrate the point, Hornish submitted photos showing the purported conditions at out-of-state breeders.

But pet stores insisted they aren’t the problem.

“Our puppies come from licensed, inspected breeders who exceed USDA standards – many of whom we have worked with for over three decades,” said Gary Nudelman, the owner of Connecticut Breeder in Norwalk. “There are100% inspections – and surprise inspections. They don’t call and say, you know, “We’ll be there soon.’ They just show up.”

Retailers told lawmakers the real problem is unregulated breeders and internet retailers.

“The bill will not stop bad actors,” said Alisa Clements, with Pet Advocacy Network, a national industry group. “What it will do will be to eliminate the most transparent source of pets that provides consumer protection and drive prospective pet owners to unregulated and unlicensed pet sellers.”

Lawmakers grilled pet store owners about how much they really know about their suppliers.

“Have you gone to these actual sites in Missouri or Iowa personally?” state Rep. Gary Turco (D-Newington) asked Nudelman.

“Have I been to them? Yes, I’ve been to them on several occasions,” Nudelman replied. “And I do get to meet them. They literally will come to Connecticut.”

Similar proposals have failed in the past, but neighboring New York passed its own ban late last year.

“At least three former New York puppy stores – all with terrible records – have already moved over the border into Connecticut,” Hornish told lawmakers.

The Legislature’s General Law Committee may schedule the bill for a vote by March 24. You can submit testimony HERE.

A separate bill would give local cities and towns the option of banning pet sales. That legislation is pending before the Planning and Development Committee. You can submit testimony HERE.