MEXICO

MEXICO CITY (AP) -- Mexico's largest pet store chain has agreed to stop selling 47 species of birds and other animals native to Mexico, 18 of which are considered at risk or in danger of extinction.

The Maskota store chain also has agreed with the government to stop selling 154 non-native species, 138 of which are considered invasive if released into the environment.

The agreement was scheduled to take effect yesterday.

The measure appears to be unrelated to a scandal in June that erupted when video surfaced showing two employees of a Maskota store slapping Chihuahua dogs repeatedly to "welcome" them to the store.