A debate is heating up in Trenton over the sale of dogs, cats and rabbits in pet stores. New legislation introduced late last month would ban those sales. Testimony was heard on Monday from both sides during a state Senate hearing.

Supporters of the bill say there are already plenty of animals in shelters and private breeders in New Jersey. They say a ban would put a stop to commercial puppy mill breeders sending dogs to these stores from out of state. However, store owners say they’ll be forced to close and people looking for a pet in New Jersey deserve a choice.

“It’s required in New Jersey if you purchase a puppy from a pet store, you get a two-week viral warranty and a six-month hereditary warranty,” said Tom Gallo, owner of Pet Center in Old Bridge. “Here at Pet Center, we extend that to three years. What this bill does is repeal those protections for consumers."

“I support those checks and balances that come in and I do feel for these people who have the pet stores and pet shops who want to do this – unfortunately at the end of the day it is easy enough to get around and animals do suffer, “ said Monmouth County SPCA Executive Director Ross Licitra.

On Jan. 1, New York will become the seventh state to ban the sale of dogs and cats at pet stores. There is no word on when this bill, sponsored by New Jersey state Sen. Brian Stack, may come up for a vote.