In a landmark decision for animal welfare, West Chester Borough Council voted 5-1 last night to prohibit the retail sale of dogs, cats, and rabbits in pet stores. “This vote is a victory for animals and for our community,” said Tiffany Stair, organizer with Revolution Philadelphia and resident of West Chester. West Chester has taken a strong stand by ensuring that no store in our borough will contribute to that cruelty.”The ordinance aligns West Chester with a growing movement across the country: eight states and more than 500 municipalities have already enacted similar measures to shut down the retail sale of mill-bred animals. The problem with puppy mill stores:• Puppies are imported into Pennsylvania from massive Midwest breeding operations with severe animal welfare violations. Instead of selling animals, pet stores are thriving with products, services, grooming, and training.