STRONGSVILLE -- The mall pet store that has been a long-running topic of debate and opposition was part of the conversation at Monday's Strongsville City Council meeting.
City council listened to animal rights advocates claiming the Pick of the Litter pet store inside SouthPark Mall runs unethical practices.
Local advocate Kerry Stack believes the owner, Tom Collins, gets all of the dogs from puppy mills and they're not properly taken care of, but Collins denies those allegations.
"I don't get puppies from puppy mills," Collins told the gathering at the council meeting. "I buy from local breeders. I get up every morning at 3:30 AM and bust my rear end cleaning every cage and check every dog and I make sure they're healthy."
One opponent to the store previously told WKYC she heard the dogs inside the store were given Benadryl. But Collins vehemently denied that claim.
"Absolutely not," Collins told WKYC a few weeks ago. "God as my witness, why would I drug a dog? I need them to be up for people to see them. I don't want them to be sleeping."
Photos inside Collins' store have repeatedly made their way across social media. One included a picture of a dog wearing a makeshift splint on its front leg. Collins explained that he received the dog from a breeder and its leg bone was bowing out, so he took the dog to a vet for a cast. But the dog chewed through the cast, which is why Collins says he had to apply tape for reinforcement.
The city of Strongsville says the animal control officer has been called to the store 21 times in the last year, but never found any violations. The Cuyahoga County Health Department didn't find any violations either.
Still, opponents to the store have drafted a petition with more than 10,000 signatures calling for its reform.
Council members say the state is in charge of pet store regulations, so any concerns need to be brought to Columbus.
PHOTOS | Opponents speak against 'Pick of the Litter' pet store at Strongsville council meeting
WATCH | WKYC was there for the emotional public hearing at Strongsville City Council. Watch our Facebook Live coverage.