Full Statute Name:  West's Nevada Revised Statutes Annotated. Title 15. Crimes and Punishments. Title 20. Counties and Townships: Formation, Government and Officers. Title 21. Cities and Towns. Title 45. Wildlife. Title 50. Animals.

Link to Pet Damages Law (N. R. S. 41.740)

Link to Pet Dealer Provisions/Care for Companion Animals Provisions Under Cruelty Laws

Link to Service/Assistance Animal Laws

Title 15. Crimes and Punishments.   Chapter 193. General Provisions.

193.021 . "Personal property" defined

Title 15. Crimes and Punishments.   Chapter 202. Crimes Against Public Health and Safety.   Miscellaneous Crimes Concerning Public Safety.

202.500 . Dangerous or vicious dogs: Unlawful acts; penalties

Title 15. Crimes and Punishments.   Chapter 206. Malicious Mischief.

206.150 . Killing, maiming, disfiguring or poisoning animal of another person; killing estray or livestock

Title 20. Counties and Townships: Formation, Government and Officers.   Chapter 244. Counties: Government.   Health and Safety.

244.359 . Ordinance concerning control of animals, license fee and designation of and requirement of liability insurance policy for inherently dangerous animals; applicability; civil liability in lieu of criminal penalty in certain circumstances

Title 21. Cities and Towns.   Chapter 269. Unincorporated Towns.   Public Health, Safety and Morals.

269.225 . Dogs: Tax; extermination when tax not paid

Title 23. Public Officers and Employees (Chapters 281-289). Chapter 289. Peace Officers

289.595. Training in effective responses to incidents involving dogs or where dogs are present; adoption of policies and regulations

Title 45. Wildlife.   Chapter 503. Hunting, Fishing and Trapping; Miscellaneous Protective Measures. Hunting.

503.200 . Competitive field trials for hunting dogs and falconry; use of upland game birds for trials and training

Title 45. Wildlife.   Chapter 503. Hunting, Fishing and Trapping; Miscellaneous Protective Measures. Miscellaneous Protective Measures.

503.631 . Dogs running at large: Unlawful to permit tracking, harassing or killing of big game mammal

503.636. Dogs running at large: Unlawful to permit tracking, harassing or killing of wildlife in state-owned area for management of wildlife

Title 50. Animals.   Chapter 568. Grazing and Ranging. Unlawful Acts and Penalties; Liability for Damages.

568.370 . Permitting dog to chase, worry, injure or kill domestic animals on open range or private property unlawful.

Title 50. Animals. (Chapters 561 - 576). Chapter 574. Cruelty to Animals: Prevention and Penalties. Sterilization of Pets.

574.600 . Definitions

574.605 . "Agreement for sterilization" defined

574.610 . "New owner" defined

574.615 . "Pet" defined

574.620 . "Releasing agency" defined

574.625 . "Sterilization" defined

574.630 . "Veterinarian" defined

574.640 . Restrictions on release of certain pets; exceptions

574.645 . Required contents of agreement for sterilization; determination of date for sterilization and date for notification of sterilization

574.650 . Postponement of date for sterilization: Letter signed by veterinarian required; modification of agreement for sterilization

574.655 . Notification of sterilization to releasing agency; exceptions; effect of failure to comply

574.660 . Duty of releasing agency to establish account; deposit of money; authorized expenditures

574.670 . Duty of veterinarians and governmental entities to post local sterilization requirements

Title 50. Animals. Chapter 575. Miscellaneous Provisions; Collection of Taxes. Miscellaneous Provisions.

575.020 . Allowing vicious animal to escape or run at large; vicious animal may be killed; liability of person having care or custody of animal which bothers, injures or kills livestock of another

Title 15. Crimes and Punishments.   Chapter 193. General Provisions.

193.021. "Personal property" defined

"Personal property" includes dogs and all domestic animals and birds, water, gas and electricity, all kinds or descriptions of money, chattels and effects, all instruments or writings completed and ready to be delivered or issued by the maker, whether actually delivered or issued or not, by which any claim, privilege, right, obligation or authority, or any right or title to property, real or personal, is or purports to be, or upon the happening of some future event may be evidenced, created, acknowledged, transferred, increased, diminished, encumbered, defeated, discharged or affected, and every right and interest therein.

Amended by Laws 1973, p. 355; Laws 1983, p. 815; Laws 1985, p. 510.

Title 15. Crimes and Punishments.   Chapter 202. Crimes Against Public Health and Safety.   Miscellaneous Crimes Concerning Public Safety.

202.500. Dangerous or vicious dogs: Unlawful acts; penalties

Title 15. Crimes and Punishments.   Chapter 206. Malicious Mischief.

206.150. Killing, maiming, disfiguring or poisoning animal of another person; killing estray or livestock

1. Except as otherwise provided in subsections 2 and 3, any person who willfully and maliciously kills, maims or disfigures any animal belonging to another, or exposes any poison or noxious substance with intent that it should be taken by the animal is guilty of a category D felony and shall be punished as provided in NRS 193.130, and may be further punished by a fine of not more than $10,000.

2. Except as otherwise provided in NRS 205.220, a person who willfully and maliciously kills an estray or one or more head of livestock, without the authority to do so, is guilty of a category C felony and shall be punished as provided in NRS 193.130.

3. The provisions of subsection 1 do not apply to any person who kills a dog pursuant to NRS 575.020.

Credits
Added by C&P (1911), § 488 [part]. NRS amended by Laws 1961, p. 402; Laws 1967, p. 513; Laws 1979, p. 1395; Laws 1999, c. 486, § 1; Laws 2001, c. 572, § 8, eff. June 13, 2001. Amended by Laws 2015, c. 372, § 6, eff. Oct. 1, 2015.

Title 20. Counties and Townships: Formation, Government and Officers.   Chapter 244. Counties: Government.   Health and Safety.

244.359. Ordinance concerning control of animals, license fee and designation of and requirement of liability insurance policy for inherently dangerous animals; applicability; civil liability in lieu of criminal penalty in certain circumstances

1. Each board of county commissioners may enact and enforce an ordinance or ordinances:

(a) Fixing, imposing and collecting an annual license fee on dogs and providing for the capture and disposal of all dogs on which the license fee is not paid.

(b) Regulating or prohibiting the running at large and disposal of all kinds of animals.

(c) Establishing a pound, appointing a poundkeeper and prescribing the poundkeeper's duties.

(d) Prohibiting cruelty to animals.

(e) Designating an animal as inherently dangerous and requiring the owner of such an animal to obtain a policy of liability insurance for the animal in an amount determined by the board of county commissioners.

2. Any ordinance or ordinances enacted pursuant to the provisions of paragraphs (a) and (b) of subsection 1 may apply throughout an entire county or govern only a limited area within the county which shall be specified in the ordinance or ordinances.

3. Except as otherwise provided in this subsection, a board of county commissioners may by ordinance provide that the violation of a particular ordinance enacted pursuant to this section imposes a civil liability to the county in an amount not to exceed $500, instead of a criminal penalty. An ordinance enacted pursuant to this section that creates an offense relating to bites of animals, vicious or dangerous animals, horse tripping or cruelty to animals must impose a criminal penalty for the offense. As used in this subsection, “horse tripping” does not include tripping a horse to provide medical or other health care for the horse.

4. The provisions of this section apply only to the extent that they do not conflict with the provisions of sections 2 to 16, inclusive, of this act.

Credits
Added by Laws 1973, p. 558. Amended by Laws 2001, c. 449, § 1, eff. June 6, 2001; Laws 2021, c. 298, § 19, eff. July 1, 2021.

Title 21. Cities and Towns.   Chapter 269. Unincorporated Towns.   Public Health, Safety and Morals.

269.225. Dogs: Tax; extermination when tax not paid

The boards of county commissioners may levy and collect an annual tax on all dogs owned or kept within the limits of any unincorporated town in their respective counties, and provide for the extermination of all dogs for which the tax has not been paid.

Amended by Laws 1985, p. 265.

Title 23. Public Officers and Employees (Chapters 281-289). Chapter 289. Peace Officers

289.595. Training in effective responses to incidents involving dogs or where dogs are present; adoption of policies and regulations

1. Each law enforcement agency shall adopt policies setting forth when a peace officer who is employed by the agency is required to be trained in effective responses to incidents involving dogs or where dogs are present.

2. In adopting the policies required by subsection 1, each law enforcement agency must consider the job descriptions, work environments and duties of the peace officers employed by the agency.

3. Training for a peace officer who is required pursuant to subsection 1 to be trained in effective responses to incidents involving dogs or where dogs are present must include, without limitation:

(a) Differentiating between aggressive and nonthreatening dog behaviors;

(b) Nonlethal methods of handling potentially dangerous dogs;

(c) The role and capabilities of local animal control agencies; and

(d) Any related subjects the Commission deems appropriate.

4. The Commission shall adopt regulations regarding the minimum standards for training in effective responses to incidents involving dogs or where dogs are present.

Credits
Added by Laws 2015, c. 120, § 1, eff. Oct. 1, 2015.

Title 45. Wildlife.   Chapter 503. Hunting, Fishing and Trapping; Miscellaneous Protective Measures. Hunting.

503.200. Competitive field trials for hunting dogs and falconry; use of upland game birds for trials and training

1. The Department is empowered to authorize, under permit and for such fee as may be provided in NRS 502.240, competitive field trials for hunting dogs or competitive field trials for falconry. The Commission shall prescribe the rules and regulations to be followed by those in charge of such trials insofar as conduct of the field trials has any effect or bearing upon wildlife and the laws of this state respecting closed and open seasons.

2. For the purpose of permitting such field trials, the Department may authorize shooting of legally acquired upland game birds during any closed season on the species of bird or birds to be hunted.

3. All legally acquired upland game birds used in a field trial or for the purpose of training hunting dogs and for falconry training must be banded with legbands by the person in charge of such field trial or training. Such birds may only be released in an area first approved by the Department, after which the Department shall authorize, under permit and under such rules and regulations as the Commission may prescribe, the releasing of such legally acquired upland game birds for the foregoing purposes.

4. All birds killed under the provisions of this section must be accompanied by a receipt, giving the permit number, the date, the name of the person in possession, and signed by the permit holder. Birds killed and accompanied by a receipt under the provisions of this section may be legally possessed.

Amended by Laws 1959, p. 385; Laws 1967, p. 989; Laws 1969, p. 1360; Laws 1993, p. 1672; Laws 2003, c. 292, § 75, eff. July 1, 2003.

Title 45. Wildlife.   Chapter 503. Hunting, Fishing and Trapping; Miscellaneous Protective Measures. Miscellaneous Protective Measures.

503.631. Dogs running at large: Unlawful to permit tracking, harassing or killing of big game mammal

1. Except as otherwise provided in NRS 503.150, it is unlawful for the owner of any dog to permit such dog to run at large if such dog is actively tracking, pursuing, harassing, attacking or killing any big game mammal within this state.

2. Any such dog running at large may be destroyed by any peace officer without criminal or civil liability therefor.

Added by Laws 1973, p. 845. Amended by Laws 1991, p. 268.

503.636. Dogs running at large: Unlawful to permit tracking, harassing or killing of wildlife in state-owned area for management of wildlife

1. It is unlawful for the owner of any dog to permit such dog to run at large if such dog is actively tracking, pursuing, harassing, attacking or killing any wildlife in a state-owned wildlife management area, as provided in NRS 504.143.

2. Any such dog running at large may be destroyed by any peace officer, without criminal or civil liability therefor.

Credits
Added by Laws 1973, p. 845.

Title 50. Animals.   Chapter 568. Grazing and Ranging. Unlawful Acts and Penalties; Liability for Damages.

568.370. Permitting dog to chase, worry, injure or kill domestic animals on open range or private property unlawful

1. It is unlawful for any person to permit a dog to chase, worry, injure or kill cattle, sheep or other domestic animals on the open range or on private property.

2. Subsection 1 does not apply to the use of a dog to herd domestic animals at the direction or with the permission of the owner of those animals.

3. Any person who violates the provisions of subsection 1 is guilty of a misdemeanor.

Added by Laws 1983, p. 235.

Title 50. Animals. (Chapters 561 - 576). Chapter 574. Cruelty to Animals: Prevention and Penalties. Sterilization of Pets.

574.600. Definitions

As used in NRS 574.600 to 574.660, inclusive, unless the context otherwise requires, the words and terms defined in NRS 574.605 to 574.630, inclusive, have the meanings ascribed to them in those sections.

Added by Laws 1997, c. 541, § 2.

574.605. "Agreement for sterilization" defined

"Agreement for sterilization" means the written contract between a new owner and the releasing agency from which the new owner adopts a pet, in which the new owner agrees to have the pet sterilized.

Added by Laws 1997, c. 541, § 3.

574.610. "New owner" defined

"New owner" means a person who is adopting a pet from a releasing agency.

Added by Laws 1997, c. 541, § 4.

574.615. "Pet" defined

1. "Pet" means an animal that is kept by a person primarily for personal enjoyment.

2. The term does not include an animal that is kept by a person primarily for:

(a) Hunting;

(b) Use in connection with farming or agriculture;

(c) Breeding;

(d) Drawing heavy loads; or

(e) Use as a service animal or a service animal in training, as those terms are defined in NRS 426.097 and NRS 426.099, respectively.

Added by Laws 1997, p. 2554. Amended by Laws 2003, c. 473, § 11, eff. Oct. 1, 2003.

574.620. "Releasing agency" defined

"Releasing agency" means:

1. A society incorporated pursuant to NRS 574.010 to prevent cruelty to animals;

2. An animal shelter designated by a local government for receiving and holding animals;

3. A nonprofit entity that provides for the temporary shelter, care or placement of pets; or

4. An organization that takes into custody pets which have been abandoned, abused or neglected and places those pets with new owners.

Added by Laws 1997, c. 541, § 6.

574.625. "Sterilization" defined

"Sterilization" means a procedure performed by a veterinarian on a pet that permanently destroys the capacity of the pet to reproduce.

Added by Laws 1997, c. 541, § 7.

574.630. "Veterinarian" defined

"Veterinarian" has the meaning ascribed to it in NRS 574.330.

Added by Laws 1997, c. 541, § 8.

574.640. Restrictions on release of certain pets; exceptions

1. Except as otherwise provided in subsection 2, a releasing agency shall not release a pet that is:

(a) Four months old or older unless the pet has been sterilized; or

(b) Less than 4 months old unless the pet is released to a new owner who:

(1) Is of competent legal capacity;

(2) Pays to the releasing agency a deposit equal to the prevailing cost to sterilize that type of pet in the county in which the releasing agency is located, as determined by the releasing agency, or $25, whichever is greater; and

(3) Signs an agreement for sterilization that meets the requirements set forth in NRS 574.645.

2. This section does not apply to:

(a) A pet that:

(1) Is reclaimed from a releasing agency by a person who already owns the pet; or

(2) Cannot be sterilized because it is exotic or for another legitimate reason, as determined by a veterinarian.

(b) A releasing agency that imposes higher or more stringent standards for the adoption of pets.

(c) The temporary transfer of the custody of a pet that requires medical attention from a releasing agency to a veterinarian.

(d) The temporary or permanent transfer of the custody of a pet from one releasing agency to another releasing agency.

Added by Laws 1997, c. 541, § 9.

574.645. Required contents of agreement for sterilization; determination of date for sterilization and date for notification of sterilization

1. An agreement for sterilization required pursuant to subsection 1 of NRS 574.640 must contain:

(a) The date on which the agreement was executed;

(b) The date on which the new owner will receive the pet, if that date is different than the date on which the agreement was executed;

(c) The name and address of the new owner and the releasing agency;

(d) The signature of the new owner and the signature, official stamp or seal of the releasing agency;

(e) A physical description of the pet to be adopted;

(f) The date by which the pet must be sterilized, as determined pursuant to subsection 2;

(g) The date by which the new owner must notify the releasing agency that the pet has been sterilized, as determined pursuant to subsection 3;

(h) The conditions pursuant to which the releasing agency will return to the new owner the deposit paid pursuant to NRS 574.640;

(i) A clause which provides that, if the new owner fails to comply with the terms of the agreement, he must pay a penalty to the releasing agency in an amount equal to not less than three times the amount of the deposit required pursuant to NRS 574.640, plus the amount of court costs incurred in the action to enforce the clause;

(j) A clause which provides that, if the new owner fails to comply with the terms of the agreement, the releasing agency may require the new owner to return the pet to the releasing agency within 5 days after the new owner receives from the releasing agency written notice of the intent of the releasing agency to enforce the clause;

(k) A clause which provides that a new owner is not released from his obligations under the agreement merely because he is experiencing a financial hardship; and

(l) A statement printed in at least 14-point bold type that a new owner who fails to comply with subsection 1 or 2 of NRS 574.655:

(1) Will forfeit his deposit;

(2) May be required to pay a penalty to the releasing agency if the releasing agency brings a successful action to enforce the clause set forth in paragraph (i); and

(3) May be required to return the pet to the releasing agency within 5 days after the new owner receives written notice from the releasing agency of the intent of the releasing agency to enforce the clause set forth in paragraph (j).

2. The releasing agency shall determine the date by which each unsterilized pet that it releases for adoption must be sterilized. The date must be the date on which the pet is 4 months old, as estimated by the releasing agency. If the date determined pursuant to this subsection falls on a Saturday, Sunday or a legal holiday, the pet must be sterilized by 5 p.m. on the next following business day.

3. The date by which the new owner must notify the releasing agency that the pet has been sterilized must be the 14th day after the date by which the pet must be sterilized. If that date falls on a Saturday, Sunday or a legal holiday, the new owner must notify the releasing agency by 5 p.m. on the next following business day.

Added by Laws 1997, c. 541, § 10.

574.650. Postponement of date for sterilization: Letter signed by veterinarian required; modification of agreement for sterilization

1. Except as otherwise provided in subsection 2, if a new owner presents to the releasing agency a letter signed by a veterinarian which includes:

(a) A statement that the life or health of the pet may be jeopardized by sterilization; and

(b) The veterinarian's medical reason for that determination, the releasing agency may postpone for 30 days the date by which the pet must be sterilized. An additional 30-day postponement may be granted if the new owner presents a letter from a veterinarian stating the medical reason for the postponement. There is no limit on the number of postponements that may be granted pursuant to this subsection.

2. Before the releasing agency may grant a postponement pursuant to subsection 1, the agency and the new owner must modify the agreement for sterilization to provide amended dates by which the pet must be sterilized and the agency must be notified of the sterilization.

Added by Laws 1997, c. 541, § 11.

574.655. Notification of sterilization to releasing agency; exceptions; effect of failure to comply

1. Except as otherwise provided in subsection 2, a new owner who signs an agreement for sterilization and receives an unsterilized pet from a releasing agency shall:

(a) Have that pet sterilized on or before the date specified in the agreement for sterilization; and

(b) Submit to the releasing agency, on or before the date by which notification is required in the agreement for sterilization:

(1) A letter signed by a veterinarian:

(I) Verifying that the pet has been sterilized;

(II) Stating the date on which the pet was sterilized; and

(III) Providing a physical description of the pet; and

(2) A bill or receipt from the veterinarian verifying that the pet has been sterilized.

2. A new owner shall be deemed to have complied with the provisions of subsection 1 if he submits to the releasing agency, on or before the date by which notification is required in the agreement for sterilization, a signed affidavit in which he sets forth a compelling reason why he is unable to have the pet sterilized, including, without limitation, that the pet has been lost or stolen. For the purposes of this subsection, financial hardship or the negligent or willful failure of the new owner to have the pet sterilized does not constitute a compelling reason.

3. A releasing agency shall refund to a new owner the deposit paid pursuant to NRS 574.640 within 15 days after receipt of the letter and the bill or receipt required pursuant to subsection 1 or the affidavit required pursuant to subsection 2.

4. If a new owner fails to comply with subsection 1 or 2, the releasing agency:

(a) Shall retain the deposit paid by the new owner;

(b) May bring an action against the new owner in the Justice Court in whose jurisdiction the releasing agency is located to enforce the clause included in the agreement for sterilization pursuant to paragraph (i) of subsection 1 of NRS 574.645; and

(c) May require the new owner to return the pet to the releasing agency pursuant to the clause included in the agreement for sterilization pursuant to paragraph (j) of subsection 1 of NRS 574.645. The releasing agency must notify the new owner in writing of its intent to enforce the clause included in the agreement pursuant to paragraph (j) of subsection 1 of NRS 574.645.

Added by Laws 1997, c. 541, § 12.

574.660. Duty of releasing agency to establish account; deposit of money; authorized expenditures

1. Each releasing agency shall:

(a) Establish an account at a bank, credit union or savings and loan association that is located within the State of Nevada; and

(b) Place in that account:

(1) A deposit paid by a new owner pursuant to NRS 574.640; and

(2) Money collected by the agency pursuant to subsection 4 of NRS 574.655.

2. The releasing agency may expend money in such an account only to:

(a) Provide education and information regarding the sterilization of pets;

(b) Provide financial assistance to persons with financial need to enable such persons to have their pets sterilized; and

(c) Carry out and enforce NRS 574.600 to 574.660, inclusive.

3. If a releasing agency is an agency or instrumentality of a local government, money in such an account at the end of the fiscal year does not revert to the general fund of the local government but remains in the account for expenditure pursuant to subsection 2.

Added by Laws 1997, c. 541, § 13.

574.670. Duty of veterinarians and governmental entities to post local sterilization requirements

1. A licensed veterinarian shall post written notice in a conspicuous place in the veterinarian’s office of any sterilization requirements for dogs or cats required by local ordinance.

2. A governmental entity with jurisdiction over a public park in which dogs or cats are allowed shall post written notice in a conspicuous place in the park of any sterilization requirements for dogs or cats required by local ordinance.

3. As used in this section, “licensed veterinarian” has the meaning ascribed to it in NRS 638.007.

CREDIT(S)

Added by Laws 2009, c. 378, § 1.

HISTORICAL AND STATUTORY NOTES

2009 Legislation

Technical corrections were made to conform with Legislative Counsel Bureau revisions (2009).

Laws 2009, c. 378, became law without the Governor's signature on May 30, 2009, pursuant to Article 4, Section 35 of the Nevada Constitution.

Title 50. Animals. Chapter 575. Miscellaneous Provisions; Collection of Taxes. Miscellaneous Provisions.

575.020. Allowing vicious animal to escape or run at large; vicious animal may be killed; liability of person having care or custody of animal which bothers, injures or kills livestock of another

1. Every person having the care or custody of any animal known to possess any vicious or dangerous tendencies, who allows it to escape or run at large in any place or manner liable to endanger the safety of any person, is guilty of a misdemeanor.

2. Any person may lawfully and without liability for damages kill such an animal when reasonably necessary to protect his own safety or the public safety, or if the animal chases, worries, injures or kills his livestock on the land of any person other than that of the owner of the animal.

3. Every person having the care or custody of an animal which chases, worries, injures or kills the livestock of another on land other than his own is liable to the owner of the livestock for damage to it.

4. As used in this section, "livestock" means all animals of the bovine, caprine, equine, ovine and porcine species, and all domesticated fowl and rabbits.

Amended by Laws 1979, p. 1395.

Formerly Criminal Practice Act of 1911, § 326; RL (1912), § 6591; NCL (1929), § 10274.