The Washoe County Board of County Commissioners reorganized the consolidated regional function of Washoe County Animal Services (WCAS) during 2014. The reorganization included moving WCAS from the management and control under the Washoe County Sheriff’s Office to becoming a stand-alone operational department.

The reorganization included the hiring of a new department director, Shyanne Schull, and the need to review, edit, modify, and update the various sections of Washoe County Code Chapter 55 (WCC Chapter 55) establishing WCAS and providing for the operational rules and regulations for providing quality animal services as the regional provider of these services.

WCC Chapter 55 has not been updated since its inception in 2005 after the regional consolidation of the animal services functions for Washoe County, the City of Sparks, and the City of Reno based on voter action in 2004.

Several factors are driving the need to update WCC Chapter 55:

• Legislative changes
• Department changes
• Language clarification and clean-up
• The evolution of the code directly related to changes in programs, services, and community need.

The WC BCC, through the WCAS Director, is working with its regional partners to develop the WCAS Department by establishing authorities, rules, regulations, and code changes to improve the overall service level being provided regionally for the protection of all the citizens and animals within Washoe County.

To establish an active, effective, and efficient new WCAS the WC BCC has a desire to codify the following (per the attached “redline” document):

• Defines areas of Washoe County
• Provides definitions related to:
  • “At large”
  • “Confined”
  • “Domestic animal”
  • “Hoofed animal”
  • Ownership
  • “Quarantine”
  • “Rabies control authority”
  • “Service animal”
  • And other items
• Proposes changes to Washoe County Code Chapter 55:
  • 55.070 Report of violations.
  • 55.080 Warning of certain violation of chapter.
  • 55.100 Restraining animals.
  • 55.230 Determination of congested areas.
  • 55.340 Licensing of dogs in congested areas
  • 55.350 Rabies vaccination requires.
  • 55.380 Licensing exemptions.
  • 55.460 Unlawful for domestics animals, except cats, to be at large in congested areas
  • 55.485 Rules regarding impounded animals.
  • 55.490 Period of impoundment; notice of impoundment; disposition of unclaimed animals.
  • 55.500 Redeeming impounded animals.
  • 55.630 Quarantine fees.

1. The Council chooses to accept the actions including changes to the Washoe County Code Chapter 55 being presented by the Washoe County Board of County Commissioners, through the Washoe County Animal Services Director, as presented by staff.

2. The Council chooses to not accept the actions including changes to the Washoe County Code Chapter 55 being presented by the Washoe County Board of County Commissioners, through the Washoe County Animal Services Director, as presented by staff.

3. The Council chooses to not accept the actions including changes to the Washoe County Code Chapter 55 being presented by the Washoe County Board of County Commissioners, through the Washoe County Animal Services Director, as presented by staff and to provide other direction to the City Manager and/or Washoe County Animal Services Director.

The appropriate motion will be determined by the Council’s thoughts, discussion and/or direction related to the topics shown above.