LION Holds Protest in Bellmore

Members of Long Island Orchestrating for Nature (LION) gathered outside of Worldwide Puppies and Kittens on Saturday to urge Gov. Andrew Cuomo to sign a bill that will allow local municipalities to regulate pet stores. 

The organization also claims that Worldwide Puppies and Kittens sells seriously sick and dying cats and dogs to the public.

More than 80 people stood in front of the store on Sunrise Highway with colorful signs. Many drove by the protest and honked their horns in favor of animal rights. 

LION President John Di Leonardo said that he was pleased with the large turnout and that the protest was for a significant cause--for Cuomo to sign  A.740-A/S.3753 and to shed light on Worldwide Puppies and Kittens alleged practices. 

"We are asking Cuomo to sign this bill because federal and state laws are not doing enough," he said. "Dogs are being mistreated in puppy mills and their welfare standards are not being monitored."  

Di Leonardo said that Cuomo spoke out against Worldwide Puppies and Kittens in 2009 for selling sick animals to the public. 

According to a 2009 article in Newsday, customers of the pet store complained that they spent an average of $1,500 to $2,500 for purebred puppies who they later discovered were severely ill.

Under an agreement reached with the state attorney's general office, the store paid back known victims and $20,000 in fees and penalties to the state in 2009, Newsday reported. 

"Consumers don't always know what they are getting," Julie Cappiello, vice president of LION said. "At times they are getting animals with a history of abuse and illness." 

Lauren Scott of Williston Park attended Saturday's protest with her 11-year-old son, Avery. The two have six rescue cats and one dog.

"There are many pets out there who need homes," Scott said. "With these pet shops you don't know what you are getting. Why do you need to buy an animal when there are so many that need rescuing." 

Many local officials such as County Legislator Dave Denenberg, former County Executive Tom Suozzi and Diane Madden, a candidate for Hemsptead Town Council, showed their support. 

"People need to get political and get behind these organizations for awareness," Madden said. "I am so impressed with the work that LION has done in a short time. They have come leaps and bounds with what they have done." 

Di Leonardo and Cappiello said that they appreciate all the support that LION has gotten. 

"It was a great turnout," Cappiello said. "I am very excited."