Boulder City residents hound city council on new breeding law

LAS VEGAS (KLAS) — An uproar of dogs barking at the Boulder City Animal Shelter, perched on a hill above the town, could be heard by residents below, but they want to know if elected officials hear it too.

For thirty minutes, Boulder City residents spoke during the Tuesday city council meeting opposing a proposed animal breeding bill that would allow pet owners with a special permit to have more than six animals under “certain circumstances,” among other changes.

“The amount of animals already filling shelters in Clark County cannot be managed,” Kiernan McManus, a Boulder City resident, said. “Accelerating this problem by providing an unlimited number of breeder licenses to Boulder City residents is simply compounding the cruelty of what this council is willing to inflict on animals.”

McManus voiced concerns about the possible commercialization of animal breeding in Boulder City and pointed to the burdens local enforcement officials face when some animals are left behind by possible breeders.

A Boulder City spokesperson told 8newsnow.com that the Boulder City Animal Shelter, which is operated by Boulder City Animal Control, is currently close to 100 percent full.

The concern of more animals being bred or living in Boulder City came two weeks after an animal hoarding case where 30 dogs, 10 of them dead, were found in a hotel room following an arrest of two people by Boulder City Police.

The item was tabled following a request from city staff, and a city spokesperson said the item would likely be added to the next city council agenda in May.

“I don’t have a dog in this fight”

On March 26, prior to the contentious city council meeting, council members and Boulder City Animal Control officials discussed the bill to change the city ordinance.

During the meeting, Steve Walton, Boulder City Councilman, read a list of comments regarding the bill for possible amendments, adding a number he was comfortable with those permitted under the proposal to have.

“There’s a lot of references to the number of fancier and foster,” Walton said. “My acceptable number is four; with the space requirement, we will apply to the breeders.”

Councilwoman Cockie Booth commented about Walton’s statement, expressing concern about the number he said was acceptable.

“That could be thirty dogs,” she said. “If you had three breeding dogs you could have thirty puppies out in that thousand square feet, I don’t think you want the fancier to have that many dogs in that thousand square feet—so it’s not the same basically.”

“Thank you,” Walton said in response to Booth. “But that’s still my opinion.”

Walton disagreed that each cat or dog being bred must be of a breed of a nationally recognized animal club, saying the door should be open for “mutts” as well.

“I don’t think that should be discriminated against for breeding,” he said. “I think it’s a legitimate practice in breeds, and a lot of my friends and family have some of those mixed breeds, and they’re wonderful pets.”

Ann Inabnitt, Boulder City Animal Control Supervisor, was called up to answer one of Walton’s questions but interjected about his comment on mixed breeds.

“I am still shocked at your breeding of mixed breeds,” Inabnitt said.

“Let’s just address the question, please,” Walton replied.

Councilwoman Booth disclosed that she has four dogs and intends to pay for a fancier/foster permit if the bill passes. She said she would abstain from the vote.

“I don’t have a dog in this fight,” Mayor Joe Hardy said following Booth’s abstention.

The Dam Dog House

Down the street from the Boulder City Animal Shelter, dogs in need of play are welcomed at The Dam Dog House, a dog daycare and overnight facility. The owner, Allison Shafer, said the community is doing what it can.

Shafer lovingly refers to all dogs as “kids” and described the part they’ve played in helping out the local animal shelter, which is nearing capacity following the recent animal hoarding case.

“We’ve got some kids from the hoarding that were adopted,” Shafer said. “And they get to come here to play and get those wiggles out.”

The dogs inside The Dam Dog House could be recognized on the spot by Shafer, who needed no tag to tell them apart.

“Myself and my team we love what we do,” she said. “When these kids come in here, they are part of our pack, and you know the strength of the dog is the pack.”

Behavioral work is just as important to Shafer as having fun at the daycare, and she noted that a poor situation is never the dog’s fault.

“It’s never the dog’s fault,” she said. “Boulder City is a dog-oriented town, and there are so many people here that only think in dog-speak.”

Shafer pointed out that multiple local fundraisers like See Spot Run and supportive calls indicate the community’s interest in ensuring that all dogs are treated with care following a sad case of hoarding.

“You think it’s so sad that the situation is happening,” she said. “But at the same time, Boulder City is going to shine.”

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