By MARIEKE ANDRONACHE

Special to The Press

Many local pet stores do not have dogs available to purchase.

The Humane Society of the United States says six states and more than 450 localities, including the city of Allentown, prohibit the sale of dogs in pet stores.

State Rep. Jeanne McNeill, D-133rd, is seeking to pass legislation, commonly known as Victoria’s Law, which would ban the commercial sale of animals.

She was celebrated by local dignitaries and the Lehigh Valley Humane Society on May 26 for tireless efforts against cruelty to animals.

In 2019, then state Senators Tom Killion and Andy Dinneman introduced the Pet Retail Sales Bill, which became commonly known as Victoria’s Bill.

McNeill is the sponsor of the current version of the bill, which would prohibit the sale of dogs, cats and other small animals if they are commercially bred.

The bill receives its name after a German Shepherd that lived 10 years on a farm in Lancaster County as a breeding dog.

She was rescued by Finding Shelter but would die 16 months later, in early 2019, after being diagnosed with degenerative myelopathy.

McNeill has strong views about cruelty to animals.

“We’re not going to quit fighting,” she told The Press. “We are going to keep working to make sure we can either cut out the puppy mills or cut them down so slow, and cut them off at the wallet.”

She then discussed rescue organizations in the commonwealth.

“There are so many rescues in this state,” McNeill said. “Some of them are for-profits that are actually, sadly, buying from the puppy mills at a discount and then making their money.

“That’s truly frustrating because they call themselves rescues.

“There are truly so many good rescues that are taking in these dogs and puppies, and spending a fortune to help fix the health issues they have, and behavioral issues because of the life they had.”

Animal rights activist Sheryl Petrillo attended the event.

She said the day’s news conference provided a “great platform to discuss what an individual can do to make a difference.

Petrillo also noted there is “a lot more work to do for the animals.”