Just a couple of months after the city of Franklin adopted an ordinance that would restrict the retail sale of dogs and cats in pet stores, a bill has been filed in the Tennessee Legislature that, if passed, would ultimately nullify that ordinance.

HB 281 and SB 436 were filed in late January to, according to the HB language, “provide protection to both companion animals and consumers that buy companion animals from retail pet stores in Tennessee.” Furthermore, the bill would make regulation of such sales occur only at the state level, and would pre-empt any similar ordinance or resolution by cities or counties.