A city council candidate is proposing a city-wide ban on the sale of dogs and cats from pet stores, to be heard by Toronto's Licensing and Standards committee August 13.

Ward 20-Trinity Spadina candidate Dean Maher thinks a ban would reduce the number of sick and unwanted pets in the city, and would reduce the number of euthanized pets each year. His bylaw would allow stores currently selling dogs and cats one year to sell off their inventory.

"Why would you buy a kitten when the Humane Society is packed with cats?" Maher said. "I'm hoping that removing the impulse buying from the pet shop will make people better pet owners."

Toronto veterinarian Kenneth Hill is on board, saying the ban would ultimately reduce the number of puppy and kitten mills, from which stores often source their animals. Sounds like a bit of wishful thinking. Though it may, as Hill suggests, cut down on the number of euthanized pets brought to vets by owners who can't cope with their new animals, mislead about breed information and illness by under-informed pet store employees. Of course, there's always enforcing stricter regulations on existing stores.

Maher says he expects Torontonians to be on board with the plan.