Las Vegas City Council approves new animal protection ordinances to combat abandonment and abuse
January 15, 2025 | Las Vegas , Clark County, Nevada
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The Las Vegas City Council meeting on January 15, 2025, focused on two significant ordinances aimed at improving animal welfare in the city. The council discussed Bill Number 2024-45, which seeks to limit the number of animals sold by pet shops or breeders to one per household each year, and Bill Number 2024-46, which proposes increasing the penalty for animal abandonment to $1,000.
Councilman Knudson introduced the bills, emphasizing the need for stricter regulations to prevent animal hoarding and abandonment. The council agreed to combine the discussion of both bills, allowing for a more streamlined public comment period.
Supporters of the ordinances, including Bryce Henderson, president of No Kill Las Vegas, expressed strong backing for the measures. Henderson highlighted the importance of tracking animal sales to prevent hoarding and stressed that the increased penalty for abandonment sends a clear message against such behavior. Other advocates echoed these sentiments, arguing that the fines could deter future cases of abandonment and reduce the financial burden on animal rescue organizations.
During the meeting, council members raised questions about the enforcement of these ordinances and the allocation of fines collected. City Attorney Jeff Dorgach clarified that the maximum penalty for misdemeanors, including animal abandonment, is limited to $1,000 under state law. He noted that any changes to this limit would require action from the state legislature.
The council also discussed the need for better tracking of animal sales by pet shops and breeders. City officials indicated that existing reporting requirements could be enhanced to ensure compliance and accountability.
As the meeting concluded, the council members expressed a commitment to advancing animal welfare initiatives and ensuring that the proposed ordinances would effectively address the issues of animal abandonment and irresponsible breeding practices. The next steps will involve further discussions and potential voting on the ordinances in upcoming meetings.
Councilman Knudson introduced the bills, emphasizing the need for stricter regulations to prevent animal hoarding and abandonment. The council agreed to combine the discussion of both bills, allowing for a more streamlined public comment period.
Supporters of the ordinances, including Bryce Henderson, president of No Kill Las Vegas, expressed strong backing for the measures. Henderson highlighted the importance of tracking animal sales to prevent hoarding and stressed that the increased penalty for abandonment sends a clear message against such behavior. Other advocates echoed these sentiments, arguing that the fines could deter future cases of abandonment and reduce the financial burden on animal rescue organizations.
During the meeting, council members raised questions about the enforcement of these ordinances and the allocation of fines collected. City Attorney Jeff Dorgach clarified that the maximum penalty for misdemeanors, including animal abandonment, is limited to $1,000 under state law. He noted that any changes to this limit would require action from the state legislature.
The council also discussed the need for better tracking of animal sales by pet shops and breeders. City officials indicated that existing reporting requirements could be enhanced to ensure compliance and accountability.
As the meeting concluded, the council members expressed a commitment to advancing animal welfare initiatives and ensuring that the proposed ordinances would effectively address the issues of animal abandonment and irresponsible breeding practices. The next steps will involve further discussions and potential voting on the ordinances in upcoming meetings.
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