Animal fee increases lower than first sought

Animal fees in Nye County are set to go up, but not by much, to the relief of some pet owners.

At the meeting Tuesday, Nye County commissioners adopted a Nye County resolution that set schedule fees and penalties required by Nye County Code, Title 6 and a schedule of Nye County Animal Shelter adoption fees.

The money will help fund the county’s animal control.

The schedule of fees and penalties required by Nye County Code, Title 6 and schedule of Nye County Animal Shelter adoption fees shall be collected according to the schedule of fees and penalties, the documents said.

The original suggestion for Title 6 fees, penalty schedule and schedule of Nye County Animal Shelter adoption fees had new rates for commercial kennel permit, breeder permit and special conditions animal permit listed for $500, up from the original $60.

“I realize these fees need to be increased,” Nye County Commissioner Dan Schinhofen said. “Recently we had a lot of custody animals.”

Schinhofen suggested to leave multi-pet permit at $250. He also said commissioners should leave commercial kennel, breeder and special animal permits at $250 and leave registration of dangerous dog fees at $250, with a proviso that they will be reconsidered in two years. All permits are valid for a year.

Nye County Emergency Management Director Vance Payne also supported the idea.

A letter of protest filed by Pahrump resident Zuzana Kukol asked not to approve the increases of fees.

Commissioner Donna Cox said she didn’t think various permits were justified to go from $60 to $500 per animal.

“I would be willing to support something lesser but I cannot support it if we did $500 a year for the commercial kennel permit, the breeder’s permit and a special conditions animal permit,” she said.

The fees are:

■ Dog license (sterilized) one year, $8; three years, $15

■ Dog license (non-sterilized) one year, $20; three years, $45

■ Cat license (sterilized) one year, $8; three years, $15

■ Cat license (non-sterilized) one year, $20; three years, $45

■ Multi-pet permit, $250 (annual)

■ Commercial kennel permit, $250 (annual)

■ Breeder permit, $250 (annual)

■ Special conditions animal permit, $250 (annual)

■ Registration of dangerous dog, $250 (annual)

Contact reporter Daria Sokolova at dsokolova@ptvimes.com. Tonopah reporter David Jacobs contributed to this report.