Several dozen protesters braved chilly temperatures Saturday evening to hold a candlelight vigil outside a Denver pet store owned by an alleged puppy mill operator.
They lined both sides of the street near the North Washington Street Kennels at 7174 N. Washington St., some carrying signs and urging motorists to honk in support.
The business is owned by Jeff Fortin, a breeder who also owns a commercial breeding operation in Oberlin, Kan., where 1,200 puppies were euthanized in December after an outbreak of distemper.
Protesters want Fortin to stop mass breeding of animals in conditions they believe are lacking in proper shelter and health care.
“We don’t want to shut him down,” said Pat Yount. “We just want him to sell dogs from animal shelters and other reputable places. We want him to stop putting profit ahead of animals.”
Fortin was not in his store during the protest. He has declined comment to The Denver Post in the past.
