LAS VEGAS, Nev. (FOX5) – Hefty fines for illegal breeders and mandatory microchips were some proposals made by Clark County Animal Protection Services to curb the Las Vegas Valley animal welfare crisis.
The Animal Foundation has seen a 16.9% increase in intake from 2023 to 2024, leading to more than 1,800 additional animals that need care. Other Las Vegas Valley animal shelters and rescue groups similarly struggle with capacity, as intake often reaches its limits.
Tuesday, Animal Protection Services came forward before county leaders to propose ordinance changes to Title 10, regulating Animal Control enforcement, pet laws and breeders.
FOX5 told you how Commissioner Michael Naft proposed a crackdown on illegal breeders across Clark County. “Not only is it the humane thing to do, but it’s also the fiscally responsible thing to do. Taxpayers are spending a fortune on shelters and other problems that are created as a result of this,” Commissioner Naft said.
Some proposed changes include doubling of fines for repeat offenders. An initial fine can start at the sale price of a puppy, which may run into the thousands for designer breeds.
“Those violations are potentially per animal. If we’re talking an animal that’s for sale for $2,000– and many are way more than that– and the litter, whether it’s between one and five [animals]– the animal control officer could cite it for $2,000 or $10,000 and the next time, potentially up to $20,000,” said Jim Andersen of Animal Protection Services.
Other proposals include further regulations of current licensed breeders: mandatory records of litters and where the animals go. There is a proposed increase in the cost for a license for breeders. Commissioner Naft said money from the increase could be diverted to spay-and-neuter or microchipping programs.
Animal Protection Services also proposed mandatory microchips for all dog and cat owners in unincorporated Clark County. Pet owners in violation would be given a “fix-it” ticket, with a voucher for free or reduced-cost microchip procedure. The ticket fine would go away once your pet is microchipped.
The City of Las Vegas recently mandated microchipping, and the Animal Foundation explained why its needed and works in other communities.
“Right now about less than half of the animals that come into the shelter have microchips, and our overall return rate for lost pets is like 26%. If we had more microchips and could return those pets more easily, it’s going to make a huge difference. It’s going to cut down on shelter overcrowding,” said CEO Hilarie Grey of the Animal Foundation.
It could take three months for county officials to create a Business Impact Statements, and then draft and approve amendments of the animal ordinance.
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