Plan targets foul pet stores

A proposed ordinance that would allow the city of Las Vegas to revoke the business licenses of pet stores that are habitually unsanitary has been introduced by the Las Vegas City Council.

The bill, sponsored by Mayor Jan Laverty Jones on Monday, was assigned to a recommending committee of Councilmen Larry Brown and Michael McDonald, who will meet Sept. 22 at City Hall.

"Although animal control can go in there now and repeatedly cite them for having unsanitary conditions or sick animals, we do not have the ability to pull their business licenses under the current ordinance," Jones said, noting that the bill is designed to address chronic violators of existing ordinances.

The bill regulates what the city calls "professional animal handlers," which would include pet stores and kennels that breed animals, Jones said.

The ordinance, however, would not allow immediate shutdown of such businesses. In the case of minor violations, a written correction notice would be issued, the bill says. In the case of violations that present a public hazard or a hazard to the animals, a citation would be given and the proprietor would have 24 hours to correct the problem, the bill says.

The proposed ordinance continues, however: "Upon further reinspection, if compliance has not been obtained, the Animal Regulation Officer may commence proceedings to revoke the permit."

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