Las Vegas's New Spay and Neuter Law
Why was this law passed?
Some people might be asking why a law like this one would even be passed, but they wouldn't be asking if they could see first hand the harm all these abandoned animals come to. There are thousands of feral cats living on the streets of Las Vegas, I see them all over my neighborhood as well as other neighborhoods.
The number of cats and dogs being euthanized in shelters is staggering and passing this law will help bring the numbers of unwanted animals housed in the shelters down to a lower level.
According to the ASPCA Online Community "Breeders, animal handlers and fanciers with permits are exempted from the new law. And although it has its opponents - some believe four months is too young and other say there's no evidence showing that mandatory spay-neuter programs work - this is clearly a step in the right direction."
What happens if you don't spay or neuter your animal?
If you are caught with an animal that isn't spayed or neutered and you don't have a veterinarian's written declaration that your dog or cat is medically unfit for surgery or you don't have valid dog fancier or cat fancier or breeder license. You could be fined $225.00 for the first offense, $500.00 for the second offense all the way up to $1000.00 for the third and any other offenses.
Is this really going to help with pet overpopulation?
I'm not sure it will because the breeder's can get a license to keep breeding and puppy mills will find a way around this law. The cost of these spay and neuter surgeries are going to fall on the pet owners and I'm afraid a lot of older people on fixed incomes are going to give up their animals to the shelter or just not spay or neuter their pets and face large fines they can't pay for.
Unless something more is done along with this new ordinance like have days where people can bring their pets into the humane society, veterinary clinics, shelters ect...for low cost or free spay or neuter surgeries, it's going to be very hard for people on fixed income to pay for this.
Sources:
ASPCA Online Community
http://www.aspcacommunity.org/forum/topics/las-vegas-mandatory-spay?xg_source=activity
Animal Law Coalition
Published by Mary Kirkland
Mary is originally from Redondo Beach, California and now lives in Las Vegas, Nevada with her husband and daughter. Mary has had extensive experience with small animal care as well as rescuing and re-homing.... View profile
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- Both cats and dogs have to be spayed or neutered at 4 months old.
- Fines can go all the way up to $1000.00 for not complying with the ordinance.
- Some people think that 4 months old is too young for this surgery.
4 Comments
Post a CommentI wonder how this will play out and if people will spay or neuter their pets.
I wonder how this will play out and if people will spay or neuter their pets.
Good article... good questions. What is 'right?'
Nicely Written :)