Henderson considers pet sterilization rule
Pets looking to procreate are about to be shut out of the Las Vegas Valley altogether.
The Henderson City Council on Tuesday began the approval process for a new city ordinance requiring dogs and cats older than 4 months to be sterilized.
The ordinance, aimed at reducing the number of strays and other unwanted pets, will be up for discussion and a final vote Aug. 3.
Henderson spokeswoman Kathy Blaha said the city is considering the measure to "fall in line with all the other agencies in town."
Similar rules are in effect in Las Vegas, North Las Vegas, Mesquite and unincorporated Clark County.
Henderson's ordinance would apply to pet owners and anyone providing "nourishment to a stray or feral cat or dog." It would not apply to licensed breeders and shelters or in cases where a veterinarian has declared an animal medically unfit for sterilization.
North Las Vegas was the first municipality to require pets to be spayed or neutered.
The city's animal control manager, Dale Smock, said several North Las Vegas residents have been cited since the rules took effect in early 2008, but he could not specify how many.
The aim of the ordinance was never to issue citations or drum up revenue from fines.
"We don't go door to door" looking for pets in need of being spayed or neutered, Smock said.
He said it is too early to tell whether the sterilization rules are making a dent in the number of unwanted animals in the valley. It often takes years for restrictions like these to start showing results, Smock said.
Las Vegas began requiring pets to be spayed or neutered in April. The county's rules took effect in May.
Animals picked up in Las Vegas, North Las Vegas and in the unincorporated parts of the valley all go to the Lied Animal Shelter, which takes in about 50,000 animals a year and puts down about half of those when owners or new homes can't be found.
Shelter officials have said that 86 percent of the animals entering the facility are not sterilized.
Henderson operates its own animal shelter.
If approved, the new Henderson ordinance will give pet owners 120 days to get their animals sterilized. Pet owners whose dogs and cats are picked up by animal control officers will be given 90 days to sterilize their animals.
As it is now written, the ordinance does not specify fines or other penalties, but it does state that kittens and puppies born to cats and dogs in violation of the rules must be forfeited to a local shelter for adoption.
Contact reporter Henry Brean at hbrean@reviewjournal.com or 702-383-0350.
