Breeders, pet fanciers targeted in revamp of animal control rules

Clark County animal control rules are about to undergo their most substantial changes in two decades.

Some revisions will affect all pet owners in unincorporated areas, while others will target animal breeders and "pet fanciers" who own several cats or dogs.

Commissioners on Tuesday mostly agreed with the changes proposed by the county animal advisory committee and asked that the amended ordinance be brought back later this month for a vote.

Some of the updates reflect the county's new pet sterilization rules that went into effect in May as well as newer technologies, such as microchip implants used to return lost pets to owners.

And some are designed to better protect animals from abuse and reduce the number of strays that are euthanized.

"Just updating the Title 10 (code) so it's much more user-friendly and complies with state law will make it easier for animal control and, I believe, we will kill less pets as a result," said Commissioner Chris Giunchigliani, who sponsored the code changes.

The proposed changes include:

■ Those who fail to sterilize a cat or dog will be fined $225 for the first offense, $350 for a second offense and $500 for subsequent offenses. If the owners come into compliance, the fines will be reduced to $25. Money from the fines will go into a special fund to aid in the sterilization of pets.

■ Owners have three days to retrieve a pet from a shelter and must show proof of ownership through veterinary records or photographs. If they lack proof, they have 24 hours to obtain it before the animal is pegged again for euthanization. The animal also must be sterilized and a microchip implanted before it is released.

■ Breeders are limited to eight purebred cats and dogs and must get a special permit, with a yearly fee of $50.

■ A pet fancier permit, which costs $50 a year, is required for anyone to own more than three dogs or cats. The limit is six dogs and 10 cats.

■ Pets must be kept in areas that are no colder than 50 degrees or no hotter than 85 degrees.

■ Animals cannot be tethered for more than 14 hours, and the line must be at least 12 feet long.

■ A motorist who accidentally hits a domestic animal is no longer required to stay with the injured creature until help arrives.

■ Owners are not allowed to buy, sell, breed or keep animals for fighting. Watching animal fights also is forbidden.

Animal welfare advocates had a few quibbles but generally backed the new rules.

Gina Greisen, president of Nevada Voters for Animals, called the revamped rules a crucial first step.

"This is fantastic. We've worked hard on this," Greisen said. "But until we stop killing 30,000 animals, more needs to be done."

Greisen was referring to the estimated number of cats and dogs euthanized in the Las Vegas Valley last year.

She disagreed with abolishing the rule that compels drivers to stay with animals they hit. A driver should take some responsibility, even if it's calling animal control, she said.

Restricting breeders to eight animals is probably the most stringent limit in the country, said Beverly McGrath, the National Humane Society's state director.

Many states have no limits, and some put the cap at 50 animals, McGrath said.

Commissioner Susan Brager expressed concern about a pet possibly getting euthanized because a person couldn't confirm ownership in 24 hours.

Christine Robinson, Lied Animal Shelter's executive director, said that isn't likely to happen. The shelter's staff would rather give a person the benefit of the doubt than euthanize an animal, she said.

The code changes are the result of divergent groups collaborating, said Holly Staburski, an animal advisory committee member.

"To have breeders working with animal rescue -- that would have been unheard of a few years ago," Staburski said.