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Nevada Legislators Consider Tougher Laws for Dog Breeders

March 27, 2009, 4:47PM MT

By Cheri Moon

They need to hear from Nevada animal lovers (now!)

They need to hear from Nevada animal lovers (now!)

By Kelli Ohrtman, Best Friends Staff

It only takes a minute to go online and cast a vote in favor or against bills in the Nevada legislature right now—and dog breeders are doing so in droves.

As you may know, Nevada has a great feature on the state legislature website, where constituents can vote in favor of or against a bill. Nevada breeders have spoken. They do not want to pay a fee, they do not want to be licensed, and they do not want the number of animals they breed to be capped.

What do you think?

The Bills in Question

S.B. 241
Requires the licensing of cat and dog breeders by the state department of agriculture.

S.B. 241 Highlights
• Requires dog and cat breeders to obtain a yearly license for a fee of $500
• Breeders are inspected yearly
• Licenses must be displayed conspicuously in a prominent place in the licensed establishment
• The Department of Agriculture may inspect the breeder’s records at any reasonable time
• Dogs and cats sold must have necessary immunizations
• Dogs and cats must be microchipped before sale
• Dogs and cats cannot be bred more than twice in their lifetime

S.B 133
Prohibits a person from possessing an animal for certain purposes AND includes amendments that would regulate Nevada’s commercial dog breeders.

S.B. 133 Highlights
• (Amendment) 574.500. Floor space of primary enclosure: Primary enclosure in which a dog or cat that is at least six months old is kept shall consist of a solid floor, or a slatted floor with gaps of no more than ½ inch between slats, that is not stacked or otherwise placed on top of or below another animal’s enclosure...

• (Amendment) 574.441. Exercise: An operator shall provide, at minimum, one exercise period during each day for a total of not less than one hour for each dog over the age of six months...

• (Amendment) 574.442. Veterinary care: An operator shall provide at minimum, examination at least once yearly, or prior to each attempt at breeding (whichever occurs more frequently) by a licensed veterinarian...

• (Amendment) 574.443. Frequency of breeding: An operator shall not breed dogs during consecutive heat cycles and shall not breed dogs younger than one year of age.

• (Amendment) 574.520. Limitation on Number of Breeding Dogs: A dealer or operator of a kennel shall not have custody of more than fifty dogs over the age of six months for the purpose of breeding those animals and selling their offspring as household pets.

Tell lawmakers how you feel about the bills they will soon vote on. Please note, only Nevada residents are allowed to cast an opinion on these bills.

www.leg.state.nv.us
• Go to the right, directly below “share your opinion” and click “on legislative bills”
• Click on “select bill”
• Click on the bill that you are selecting (either S.B. 241, S.B. 133)
• Click on “for” or “against”
• Add a comment, if you want
• Fill out the constituent information
• Click on “submit”

**Best Friends supports legislation that promotes quality controls and quantity caps for commercial breeders of companion animals. Specifically, we support quality standards that incorporate strict guidelines to ensure that animals’ physical and mental health thrive. Periodic oversight by an authoritative state or local agency and notable penalties that seriously deters recidivism is important. Also supported are statues stating that failure to comply will result in the penalty that a person or entity no will longer allowed to be in the pet-for profit business.

Stock photo by Clay Myers, Best Friends Staff
Posted by Cheri Moon, Best Friends Staff

Comments

Posted April 01, 2009, 8:25PM by echoschmecko

I also just voiced my opinion. I think that this is great! I hope they do put restrictions on the individuals who ruin everything for everyone else by being inhumane and greedy. By the way, AB199 on the same website also deals with animal fighting, and the consequences of partaking in animal fights. You may want to voice your opinion on that as well.

Posted March 31, 2009, 6:2PM by camposmel

I also just submitted my opinion FOR SB241 / SB133. I found out about it from KOLO news but they only showed one side of the story - how it will hurt the breeders. It was irritating. I am so glad you had more information about it. It might be a good idea to send a special email to all of your Nevada members asking them to submit their opinion.

Posted April 01, 2009, 9:6AM by bordercolliemom

I love the part where a dog or cat can't have more then 2 litters in their lifetime. This would definately put these greedy subhuman breeders out of business. I would love to see these laws pass in every state. What a beautiful dream. I'm sure the AKC will fight this with all their might.

Posted April 02, 2009, 9:15PM by mxipp

I'm a Nevada voter and sent emails to all the legislators sponsoring the Breeder Bill. Two replied, one of whom said he was getting LOTS of mail on this bill, overwhelmingly AGAINST it.

I was at the Legislture a couple weeks back when the Dog Tethering bill was discussed in committee. The breeders were out in force against that one also.

Please, everyone out there who lives in NV, vote on the legislatiive website, and take a couple minutes to email the legislaors on the Natural Resource committee and tell them you are in favor of these bills.

The breeders are very vocal against them, we've got to be vocal in favor of them.

Posted March 31, 2009, 1:24AM by suzieq67

Thanks Kelli and Cheri for posting this info! I just went out and did my part for the animals of Nevada! I hope all Nevadans reading this will go and voice your opinion as well! Nevada is still a 'small' state and your opinions will be heard!