Max was purchased from Doggie World to replace a family dog that had succumbed to old age. Max died 12 days after he was purchased.

Langley City may ban the sale of puppies.

B.C. SPCA has confirmed that the City has been consulting with it on drafting two bylaws. The City is looking to ban any future pet stores from opening and to regulate current pet stores.

“We are taking a hard look at all our bylaws and consulting with our solicitor on what we have the legal authority to do and not do,” said Mayor Peter Fassbender.

“We are moving this as fast as we can. When issues come up like this, you want to look at what you can do.”

Doggie World is the City’s only store selling pupppies, but it would be grandfathered under the new bylaw. Last week it shut its doors for renovations after a strain of parvo virus killed a number of puppies it sold to people.

Other people have also bought sick puppies from Doggie World and a swell of complaints has come into the City, the SPCA and Langley Animal Protection Society (LAPS).

On Tuesday, the puppy store sign came down and a large garbage bin was being filled. A moving-type truck was there on Monday night. The Doggie World website is down and it appears they are moving out of the City storefront.

The City may also look at new regulations for current pet stores with respect to the welfare of the puppies and keeping records as to where their puppies are coming from, said the SPCA.

“The City has moved very quickly on this and we are immensely pleased. It is our hope to present two bylaws for council’s consideration at their Jan. 25 meeting. If it passes, this could be a trickle effect for other municipalities,” said Marcie Moriarty, general manager of cruelty investigations for the SPCA.

The SPCA official opposes the sale of animals in pet stores. In a recent statement, Langley’s animal shelter recommends that if people wish to buy a puppy instead of a shelter dog, they should ask for full disclosure documents about the dog’s background and temperament.

Before Christmas, the City had investigated Doggie World, along with animal control officers from LAPS, after both agencies received complaints about the puppy store. Animal officers counted more than 130 puppies in the store at one time a month ago. The City has required Doggie World fix several Building Code violations in order to reopen.

Concerns over Doggie World continue as is interest by the public in joining a protest outside the store if it re-opens on Jan. 21.

More people have come forward with allegations of sick dogs, or ones bought and since treated for parasites.

One man, who doesn’t want to be named, had bought a puppy for his his wife and daughter for Christmas. Their dog of 12 years had just passed away from old age so he felt it was time to get a new one.

He brought home Max and they adored him. He was sick within four days and died 12 days after being purchased. Doggie World did give them a full refund this week.

Doggie World has also offered full refunds for all dogs that have died.

In The Times letter pages last week, many residents questioned why Langley City allows the sale of puppies.