A new law is on the books banning the sale of dogs, cats and pot-bellied pigs if they didn't come from shelters, non-profit humane societies or animal rescue groups.
But only two stores in Las Vegas would be effected by the ordinance, according to Las Vegas City Councilman Bob Beers, who sponsored the legislation.
Beers said Thursday he proposed the new law as a way to help cut down on the number of unwanted pets that end up being euthanized.
"It's all moving in the right direction," Beers told KNPR's State of Nevada, "This is additional momentum, additional incremental steps, pushing to bring Las Vegas to become a no-kill community."
He also said 120 cities now have similar laws.
He added, however, that there is no direct evidence that banning the sale of these puppies and kittens leads to fewer unwanted animals. He said the idea of selling a pure breed puppy or kitten at a store is a dying industry.
"You stop and look at your favorite pet store chances are it's a PetSmart or one of those other big box stores and they don't sell puppies or kitties," he said. "They've ceased the practice on their own. They make space available for the shelter and for rescue non-profits to come in and show dogs and cats and adopt them out"
Beers said the new ordinance is an indication of society's increasing consciousness about the worth of animals.
Bob Beers, Las Vegas Councilman, Ward 2
