Irvine Company to ban sales of cats, dogs at retailers

After more than 30 years of doing business on Fashion Island in Newport Beach, Russo's Pet Experience will soon be gone.

The Irvine Company, which owns major properties in Orange County, including Fashion Island, says it will no longer rent space to stores that sell dogs and cats.

It still plans to honor current lease agreements. The company denies that the action is in response to recent protests by animal rights groups.