A WOKINGHAM pet store at the centre of an internet storm over the sale of puppies says it is doing everything by the book and only buys from licensed breeders.
In recent weeks, more than 10,000 people have signed an online petition aimed at forcing Wokingham Borough Council (WBC) to refuse Hare Hatch-based Linton Pet Shop’s request for a licence to sell dogs.
The petition, which was launched on the Change.org website, reads: “Following a debate in Parliament in 2014, councils have the power to make the decision whether to issue a licence for pet shops to sell puppies.
“We believe that the concerns regarding the source of the puppies should result in a licence NOT being issued. We therefore plead with Wokingham Council to listen to the people.”
More than 5,000 people signed the petition involving the Ladds Garden Centre-based pet shop in the first 24 hours.
Laurie Agius, the owner of Linton Pet Stores, told The Wokingham Paper that since the petition had launched she has received hate mail and that the allegations on the change.org website are false.
Ms Agius said: “These are fake allegations. We have to buy dogs from licensed breeders. People are not understanding [the dogs] are not from a puppy farm.
“It’s all done properly and everything can be monitored. I’m doing it by the book.”
Last week, the council responded to the petition saying that if it refused Linton a licence to sell puppies it could face a legal challenge “on the basis that we have been lobbied by members of the public”.
Cllr Pauline Jorgensen, WBC’s executive member for resident services, told The Wokingham Paper: “Linton Pet Store has correctly applied and has been given a licence under the Pet Animals Act 1951, and is complying with its conditions.
“If we receive an application that meets all the legal requirements then we are obliged to issue it.”
