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LAS VEGAS (AP) — Clark County commissioners may reconsider their decision to deny a permit for what has evolved into a zoo in Moapa.
The Las Vegas Sun reports (http://bit.ly/1Izqjj4) two veterinarians moved onto the rural property in 2006 and housed kangaroos and wallabies. They added animals and tours over the years, grabbing the attention of Clark County and the Southern Nevada Health District.
The two groups decided in January 2014 to close the nonprofit Roos-N-More Zoo, which is unaccredited and lacks zoning for exotic animals.
Neighbors like Linda Dey say the zoo causes noise and attracts flies.
"The quiet was gone, replaced by flies and the screeching of unknown animals on the other side of the wall," Linda Dey said. "We don't want to live next to a zoo."
Meanwhile, hundreds of others have raised money to support Roos-N-More.
Veterinarians Valerie and Jay Holt are trying to keep the facility open. They've applied for permitting and spent money to improve the facility.
"I tell people I don't need Alcoholics Anonymous, I need Animals Anonymous," Valerie said.
Commissioner Mary Beth Scow requested the Holt's recently-denied use permit be reconsidered on Sept. 2.
"I don't think we quite got our arms around what the issues were," Scow said.
Commissioner Steve Sisolak says if the permit is to be granted, he would want to limit how many animals the Holts can house as well as prohibit breeding.
"Somebody has got to get a handle on what's allowed there," he said. "How far do you go with this?"
If not, the Holts have to get rid of the animals on the property, which has grown to about 200 exotic creatures.
"It feels like having to put your children up for adoption," Valerie said.
The Lion Habitat Ranch in Henderson saw similar regulatory issues this year and stayed open with the help of an attorney, whom the Holts recently hired to represent them.
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Information from: Las Vegas Sun, http://www.lasvegassun.com
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