LAS VEGAS (FOX5) — Animal control officers have given almost $154,000 in fines to illegal pet breeders in the span of a year and a half, according to Animal Protection Services with Clark County.
The update comes a year-and-a-half after sweeping changes to the County’s Title 10 laws, all in an effort to crack down on the surge of the number of animals into the Animal Foundation and local rescue groups.
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To penalize repeat offenders and prolific breeders that profit off of designer dogs, officers can issue fines as high as double the amount of the sale of a puppy.
According to County officials, since February 2025:
- 365 complaints received
- $153,950 in fines were issued
- 57 breeders were given 157 charges for “Sale of Animals”; 85 charges were issued for possession of puppies
After a second offense, one breeder was given a $9,000 fine for the sale of a single dog, a spokesperson said.
“This is for those prolific breeders who have their backyards set up for this. They’re doing this, they know what’s wrong, we’ve talked to them, we’ve already advised them, and they continue,” said Victor Zavala, the code enforcement manager that oversees Animal Protection Services, who gave an update to commissioners on July 7.
“When we show up to somebody’s house because they’re selling $5,000 dogs online, me issuing a $100 fine isn’t going to stop them, or even a $500 fine isn’t going to stop them. But if I issue them a $5,000 fine per dog that they advertised, that has a little bit more of an effect,” Zavala said.
According to county officials, officers ask owners to cease advertising of sales; owners may receive citations for unsterilized dogs, cats or possession of puppies. Officers work to ensure that all animals are sterilized according to County Code, and do not possess more animals than allowed.
Commission Chair Michael Naft tells FOX5, continued enforcement is critical to crack down on breeders. The commissioner advocated for changes to Title 10.
“The next step is, continue strong enforcement. Without strong enforcement, policies that we pass don’t have much consequence. If you can couple the policy with significant enforcement, then you can have some success. That enforcement becomes a little bit more manageable when we are being efficient with the time of our animal control officers and with those who are doing that enforcement activity,” he said.
“If an animal control officer can spend less time transporting an animal from deep southwest portion of the valley to the Animal Foundation and more time doing proactive enforcement of breeders and other illegal activity, the community is better served for it,” Naft tells FOX5.
Where does the fine money go? Naft tells FOX5, according to Title 10, the funds must go back to animal welfare programs like $5 microchipping and low-cost spay and neuter options.
The illegal breeder problem remains prolific, according to Gina Greisen of Nevada Voters for Animals; families who buy a dog from a breeder may try to become amateur breeders themselves, she said; other folks who end up with an unwanted litter of puppies may also try to sell puppies or kittens online– and unknowingly or unknowingly break the law, she said.
“Until we see the numbers at the shelter come down… I don’t think until then we can maybe really sort of declare some kind of victory. But every tool in the toolbox is desperately needed and it’s all a piece of the puzzle,” Greisen said.
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