Animal Legal Defense Fund Praises County Commission Unanimous Approval of Exotic Animal Ordinance

Ordinance Balances Needs of Responsible Exotics Owners and Public Safety

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LAS VEGAS – The Animal Legal Defense Fund (ALDF), the nation’s leading legal advocacy organization for animals, hailed today’s approval by the Clark County Commission of an ordinance that provides meaningful protection for both exotic animals and the public.

The ordinance, which amends Title 10 of the Clark County Code, will require owners to obtain permits that better enable Clark County officials to oversee, monitor, and inspect dangerous animals kept as pets.

“At a time when most states have banned the ownership of dangerous wild animals as pets, establishing permit requirements is a reasonable compromise that should be acceptable to exotics owners who are housing animals safely and humanely,” said Stephen Wells, executive director of ALDF. “The ordinance better enables Clark County law enforcement and public safety officers to track how many dangerous animals are being kept as pets in the community, and how they are being housed, handled, and treated. It’s an important step toward protecting animals and the community alike.”

Carney Anne Nasser, ALDF’s Legislative Affairs Counsel, has been working with Clark County officials for the past four years to develop the ordinance, which is especially important given that Nevada is one of six remaining states with no laws restricting or regulating the private ownership of tigers, lions, and other dangerous wild animals kept as pets. Clark County, which represents the greater Las Vegas area and the largest metropolitan area in Nevada, has historically been a “safe haven” of sorts for individuals who own wild animals.