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Jan. 04, 2008
Copyright © Las Vegas Review-Journal

Mandate on pets passed by NLV

Dogs, cats need to be sterilized

By LYNNETTE CURTIS
REVIEW-JOURNAL

Dr. Mindi Roberts looks at a sterilized puppy at Lied Animal Shelter. North Las Vegas now mandates sterilization of nearly all dogs and cats.
Photo by Craig L. Moran.

Canine Casanovas and frisky felines beware: North Las Vegas is plotting to curb your wanton carousing.

The city on Wednesday mandated the spaying or neutering of nearly all dogs and cats, a step officials there say will help alleviate pet overcrowding and promote responsible pet ownership.

North Las Vegas is the first of the local governments to enact such a law.

"We're hoping others in the valley will follow suit," said Al Noyola, North Las Vegas's Assistant Director of Police Services.

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    • Clark County is considering an ordinance that would require the sterilization of dogs or cats who have been repeatedly picked up by animal control officials, a county spokesperson said.

    The ordinance adopted by the North Las Vegas City Council requires dogs and cats to be sterilized before they reach four months of age. Exceptions will be made for animals owned by people who have special fancier, or breeding permits, and for animals that are deemed by a veterinarian to be medically unfit for sterilization.

    Local veterinarians, activists for animals and others concerned with animal welfare applauded the step.

    "The most heroic surgery we do is spaying and neutering," said Clarissa Engstrom, a local veterinarian who spoke in favor of the ordinance at Wednesday's meeting. "Animals who aren't spayed or neutered end up having problems."

    Cats and dogs that have not been sterilized are more likely to suffer various illnesses, and they are also more likely to get hit by cars and suffer other injuries when "they're out looking for a boyfriend or girlfriend," she said.

    North Las Vegas animal control officers will begin enforcing the new ordinance in 120 days.

    Violators can be given a misdemeanor citation, punishable by a fine of up to $1,000 and up to six months in jail.

    But Noyola believes it will rarely come to that because the ordinance won't be enforced as a "primary citation." Instead, the city's eight animal control officers will ask about sterilization only if they're talking to pet owners about other problems.

    "If we are called to a citizen's residence for a barking dog or something along those lines, we'll inquire as to whether the pet is spayed or neutered," Noyola said.

    If the owner says no, the city will give the person 30 days to secure a fancier's permit or have the animal sterilized.

    Enforcement of the ordinance will largely depend on the honor system.

    "If the answer is yes (the pet has been sterilized), then great," Noyola said. "Once we start educating the public about the new ordinance and enforcement, I think we're going to have pretty substantial compliance."

    Engstrom said she doesn't understand why some pet owners neglect to have their animals sterilized. The expense of the procedure, which can cost up to several hundred dollars, isn't an excuse, she said.

    "If you can't afford to spay or neuter, you can't afford the animal."

    Chris Robinson, director of the Lied Animal Shelter, hopes the law will decrease the need for animal euthanizations.

    "It's a move in the right direction to deal with the problem of pet overpopulation," she said. "Spaying and neutering is clearly the key to bringing our intake numbers down."

    Las Vegas, North Las Vegas and Clark County all contract with Lied, the valley's largest pound.

    Overcrowding at the shelter last February contributed to illnesses that led to the destruction of 1,000 animals.

    Robinson said preliminary accounts show that the shelter took in about 49,200 animals in 2007. Of those, about 26,500 animals ended up being euthanized, most for medical or "mercy" reasons, such as being seriously injured by a car or in a dog or cat fight.

    About 1,500 animals were euthanized last year because of space concerns at the shelter, Robinson said.

    In 2006, the shelter took in about 52,000 animals and euthanized about 24,000.

    Gina Greisen, director of Nevada Voters for Animals, said North Las Vegas "has set the standard for spay and neuter across the valley."

    "You can't build enough shelters for the animals who are out there," she said. "Only through spay and neuter programs are we going to be able to get the pet population under control in this valley."

    Contact reporter Lynnette Curtis at lcurtis@reviewjournal.com or (702) 383-0285.



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    donna wrote on January 18, 2008 12:59 PM: i am reading your article and the comments on same. "if you cant afford to spay or neuter, you cant afford the animal", that is an "OUTRAGOUS, OBNOXIOUS STATEMENT!!!!! ARE YOU KIDDING ME??
    we just took in two beautifull puppies, that needed a home desperatly. (the animals need a safe home)we are a loving family., we are on a fixed income, as i believe alot of people are thease days, and to pay almost $500 to spay our puppies is "OUT OF CONTROL"!!! why are there not enough vets or animal clinics that can do this for a reasonable amount of money?? this is LAS VEGAS!!!big casinos going up all over the place, high rises, ect.. when it comes to humane issues in this town you "pay dearly" or you dont get what you need done!!! what happened to compassion,and requard for people who are willing to take in dogs and cats., ??? that love them! so what , some of us cant afford all the high prices the vets charge... why cant they help the people out., and make a reasonable fee., that we all can afford. the vet bills too, are rediculously high!! all the money vegas has and we still have this problem!!! not enough shelters for animals, not enough shelters for humans who also need help. something is very wrong here!!! is there one vet out there willing to lower their prices? lets see if we have any volunteers out there in this loving place called., "las vegas". let me see some common kindness towards the less fortunate.,. whewwwww., there... lets hear from some of you vet drs. who are willing to help out the people. , and not just interested in the almighty dollar!!! sincerely, donna lyn in vegas


    VetDVM wrote on January 10, 2008 03:44 PM: I would really love for all of you opposed to this to sit back and think of what your saying. Why would you not want to have your dog neutered? Or be "cut on" unless an emergency. Well my education has taught me that the best way to prevent an animal from being "cut-on " in an "emergency" is to have your pet spayed/neutered to prevent pyometras, mammary cancer testicular, and prostate cancer among other diseases associated with being intact. Then maybe that vet bill would and should be about $500. I wish we could charge an ignorance fee when we have a 12 year old intact female that is about to die because her uterus if full of pus because some irresponsible pet owner didn't want to pay 200 bucks when the dog was young to have her spayed (or "mutilated") as some like to say.
    So the best thing for the animals is to spay/neuter young to prevent health concerns and decrease the already overwhelming unowned pet population. Good job NLV!!!


    Shaddy wrote on January 06, 2008 08:36 PM: Educating pet owners should be the solution. Animal Rights nuts eventually want everyone to not even have pets... this is the first step. Wake up and protest this, pet lovers in this state! And before 4 months is not humane either, especially for some particular breeds!!! Another example of those who dont know, making the rules...


    Bob M wrote on January 06, 2008 05:28 AM: FTFA: "the shelter took in about 49,200 animals in 2007. Of those, about 26,500 animals ended up being euthanized, most for medical or "mercy" reasons...About 1,500 animals were euthanized last year because of space concerns at the shelter, Robinson said."

    That's only 3% of the cats and dogs that were a problem!!! Not the grand emergency that the city officials claim.

    Let the city officials lead by example if they think that spay and neuter is such a grand idea. The lobotomies seem to be working out well.


    Dog Lover wrote on January 06, 2008 02:27 AM: On the pet mandate issue, I was really shocked that this ordiance was passed,without a concern of all people.Was this even put out for people to voice upon or was it just decided by a few and passed.Some people just don't like to get their pets fixed, they don't breed them and they are very responsible, and have been for years, and now you're telling them to do this. A lot of people probally want like this. I say this because all through my military career, and after I have had dogs, and never had a problem with them or complaint from anyone. I'm a pet lover, but I don't like having them being cut on .Unless they are sick or a emergency has come about. If I'm not responsible I wouldn't have gotten them. And for someone to say that I have to do this to my pet is really onesided. When some of the people turn their pet lose or stray or take then to the shelter, the will still be another animal being put to sleep. And we are right back where you started.And believe me this will happen to some. It kind of remind me about the pit bull issue or other dogs of that sort. People think they all are bad just because of a few bad one, that were made that way. It's like everyone is been punished for the bad mistakes others have made.Everyone should have been allowed to voice their opinion before it was decided for them. Signed a Retired Vet/ U.S. Postal worker!!!


    geeky1 wrote on January 04, 2008 07:47 PM: Welcome to Nazi Germany. Where the heck do these SOBs get off telling me to mutilate my dog. My dog has never even copulated. I thought this was a free country. What if they told you we have too many kids in our schools so all women must be serilized. Stop the tyranny now. Call and Write your councilmen they must reconsider.


    j wrote on January 04, 2008 05:16 PM: Don't breed them, if you can't feed them.


    press2forEnglish wrote on January 04, 2008 04:47 PM: It costs about $500 to have an animal fixed now days , between the office visit and all the tests and shots

    No wonder people are not doing it


    Jen wrote on January 04, 2008 04:14 PM: Let's not forget that there are many LEGAL citizens living in the U.S. who should be spayed/neutered. I wonder what would happen if we made spaying/neutering mandatory for convicted criminals? Convicted of rape? Neuter the SOB! Dumb enough to do/sell drugs? Spay! Neuter! Save a child--spay/neuter your crackhead today!


    FredM wrote on January 04, 2008 03:05 PM: I'd bet 5 to 1 that Norma is married to an ill eagle eagle.


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