The long-standing tradition of looking at puppies on the side of Harris County roads was brought to an end Tuesday.

The ban goes into effect Oct. 1, and officers will try to get the word out during that first weekend of the month. Those selling animals on the side of the road will only be issued a warning.

The county thinks most of October will be a warning period. Afterward, the fines could total $500, but a final amount will be determined by a justice of the peace.

Selling puppies on the side of the road is a lucrative weekend business for some breeders, but it's been illegal since July in Houston.

Last weekend, a woman was cited for illegally selling pit bull puppies.

A local pit bull task force asked the Commissioner's Court to ban roadside animal sales.

Members of the task force maintain that breeders often sell sick animals, and the city said animal overpopulation is also a big concern.

"We have thousands and thousands of dogs roaming the streets atttacking and biting people; we’re euthanizing thousands and thousands of animals in our animal shelter," BARC Director Kent Robertson said. "We’ve got to get a handle on it."