Northglenn City Council rejected an ordinance that would have outlawed selling dogs, cats and rabbits in pet stores unless those animals came from an animal shelter or rescue organization.

The measure failed by a 4-5 vote on first reading during council’s July 8 regular meeting.

“The purpose of this … ordinance is to promote animal health, safety and welfare standards; to promote community awareness of animal health, safety and welfare standards; and to foster a more humane environment in the city of Northglenn,” said acting City Manager David Willett before council began its discussion.

The ordinance would have grandfathered in the pet stores already operating in the city and would have outlawed individuals from selling or giving away pets in public places.

Some council members said they were voting in favor of the ordinance to move it forward to a public hearing.

However, because the ordinance failed on first reading, there will be no public hearing.

Kim Snetzinger, Ward IV, voted in favor of the ordinance but listed several concerns.

“We are allowing medical marijuana shops to be in the city,” she said.

“We’re going to be allowing recreational marijuana shops in the city. We allow smoking in the city. Those are all things I would consider more of a harm to a person, and now we’re not going to allow people to make their own decision on what kind of business they want to support or where they buy their animals or what kind of animal they can buy.”

Carol Dodge, Ward I; Joe Brown and Leslie Carrico, Ward II; Marci Whitman, Ward III; and Gene Wieneke, Ward IV, voted against the ordinance. Mayor Joyce Downing; Wayne Dodge, Ward I; Mayor Pro Tem Susan Clyne, Ward III; and Snetzinger voted in favor of the ordinance.