A new state law is making it illegal to sell pets on roadsides. Anyone caught selling animals in public areas, such as medians, parks, and roadways is subject to a $50 fine per animal.

Marsh Meyers, the director of community outreach for the Humane Society of Southern Arizona says the animal can be as large as a horse, or as small as a hamster.

The law was designed to prevent people from purchasing animals that might have health problems.

The Humane Society receives about 100 calls a month from people who don’t know how to care for their sick animals. And with no way to get in touch with the previous owner, the new owners are left with large vet bills.

Meyers says that owners of sick pets often times end up giving the animal to the Humane Society because they can no longer take care of it themselves.

During a recent visit to the Humane Society, Heidi Liska fell in love with Bob, a dog that is up for adoption.

She says that she has witnessed animals for sale on the side of the road before, but she wouldn’t buy a roadside pet.

“You don’t know if they’ve got worms, if they’ve got a disease, you don’t know anything about them,” Liska says.

Pet owner Nicole Trujillo bought her Maltese Poodle from a private party. The dog, Prince, was tired all of the time, slept all day and had twitching eyes. After a visit to the vet, she discovered that Prince had an eye infection, which is a common problem for puppies.

Trujillo says this experience won’t stop her from buying a pet from a street vendor again.

The Humane Society is asking anyone who witnesses the roadside sale of animals to report it to animal control.

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