(www.suntimes.com/news/metro/172803,CST-NWS-pets14.article)

December 14, 2006

BY KHADIJA ALI Naperville Sun
A local merchant is challenging animal lovers who have been picketing one of his stores by threatening legal action against the protesters.

Picketers last month showed up in front of a Happiness is Pets store that recently opened in Warrenville, protesting the store's practice of selling dogs. One of the store's six locations opened in Naperville four years ago.

The protest was led by Warrenville resident Therese Davis and husband Gary, who want the pet store to stop selling dogs and restrict its sales to pet foods and supplies.

"I'm not against the store, but I'd rather see the adoption of dogs," Therese Davis said.

The Davises and others want Warrenville to approve an ordinance banning stores from selling live animals.

Warrenville Mayor David L. Brummel said the couple has not submitted a written request to get it placed on the city council's agenda. If they did, Brummel does not know if it would pass.

"I have no idea," Brummel said. "But we have received positive and negative letters about that pet store."

Store owner Ron Berning says the dogs he sells are healthy, and he plans to continue selling them. He threatened to sue the Davises for defamation if they continue spreading "false statements" about his puppies.

In a letter to the Davises, Berning's lawyers said if the picketing continues, they will "seek injunctive relief in addition to monetary damages."

But the Davises, who have also sought legal advice from an animal rights lawyer, said the letters are a scare tactic. She and her husband will hold their scheduled protest on Dec. 23 and Dec. 24.