Local animal-rights advocate plans protest of pet store near Columbus

YOUNGSTOWN — Jason Cooke, a local animal-rights advocate, is organizing a peaceful protest of Petland and bus trip Tuesday to Columbus.

The Ohio Senate Ways and Means committee has removed an amendment in a general tax bill, HB 166, which would have impacted how pet stores in Ohio acquire their animals for sale. However, similar language has been introduced in both chambers of the Ohio General Assembly as standalone bill – SB 331 and HB 573. These industry-backed bills would void local ordinances that prohibit pet stores in the state from selling animals from puppy mills, like those recently passed in Grove City and Toledo.

Cooke has organized the protest at Petland, 2740 London Groveport Road, Grove City, Ohio. Participants will then board two school buses at 12:30 p.m. that will travel to the Statehouse to attend a 2:30 p.m. hearing for SB 331. There is no cost to participate in the event. Contact Cooke at 234-855-5847 for information.