The Clark County Commission Tuesday received a report on current regulations and the process for owning and keeping exotic animals in unincorporated Clark County, according to Erik R. Pappa, Director of Public Communications. The regulations do not affect residents of Mesquite, where exotic animals are not allowed.
Pappa said the commission voted 7-0 to make some changes, including:
-- Require that special use permits for the keeping of exotic animals be approved by the County Commission as opposed to the appointed County Planning Commission., which is the current practice.
-- Require that applicants provide adequate justification to have the animals.
-- Require that the resident or owner of the property where the animal is kept also be the owner of the animal.
-- Require that the animals be provided shade along with an adequate enclosure and that cages may not be stacked.
-- Verify that the owner have expertise in keeping the animals.
-- Require that the special use permit granted by the County be renewed regularly and that the property be inspected annually.
“While the Commission today approved this approach, specific language spelling this out will come back for a vote of the commission at a future Zoning Board meeting, possibly as soon as Wednesday, Sept. 5,” Pappa added.