Karen DeWitt is reporting for City Paper a bill to ban the sale of dogs, cats and rabbits at pet stores in New York is gaining support in the state Legislature. Supporters are looking to put puppy mills out of business, but some independent pet store owners say they are being unfairly punished for the unethical practices of others. Supporters of the legislation deny it will hurt pet shops because animal purchases make up just 2 to 4 percent of their sales; the rest is food and paraphernalia, including toys and even outfits. The lobby group for chain pet stores, the Pet Industry Joint Advisory Council, said in a statement the bill is well-intentioned but misguided. The Assembly sponsor of the bill, Linda Rosenthal, said there’s no shortage of animals to adopt from shelters and pet rescue efforts instead. Sen. Michael Gianaris, who is the bill’s sponsor in the Senate, said it is necessary because too many pet stores rely on animals from poorly regulated, out-of-state puppy mills. Read the full story in the City Paper.