LAS VEGAS (KLAS) — Amid growing speculation, Henderson’s animal control division will soon report to a new department, but officials want a chance to explain their reasoning.
On Friday, the City of Henderson confirmed its plan to move the Animal Care and Control division out of the police department’s purview and into the Community Development and Services Department by July 1.
The announcement was met with speculation and claims of a lack of communication with staff, according to animal activists who spoke with 8 News Now.
“In all honesty, I don’t know why it’s rubbed a few people the wrong way,” Ian Massy, assistant director of Henderson’s Community Development and Services Department, said. “Community development services has had code enforcement in our department for more than 15 years. We respond to more than 7,000 cases already as a department.”
According to Massy, the recent decision last week does not have a specific reason; instead, he pointed to multiple factors.
“As for the timing, you know, we’re coming up on a new fiscal year, and a lot of stuff relates to budgets,” he said. “And you know, honestly, there is no like specifics on the timing, other than, it’s a right time to make that decision to move the leadership to community development services, and this also gives the time for them to talk about the transition.”
According to a March 2024 city study, the Animal Care and Control division has a budget of more than $3 million. The study was followed by an approved facility expansion budget of $4.5 million. Massy said the move is not expected to impact the budget priorities for the division.
“I’m aware of the study, and I’m aware of the budget requests, and those, again, any budget that was allocated to that already is going to move over to our department,” he said. “And we will proceed with the continued planning of the expansion or remodeling of the Animal Care and Control facility as scheduled.”
Gina Griesen, president of Nevada Voters for Animals, said she is not sold on the official reasoning from the city, pointing to calls she says she received from city staff.
“I found out that the folks at Animal Care and Control found out about it just minutes before everyone else did,” she said. “And you know, the feedback that I got was that it is not a good thing, that people were not told about it. They were not asked about it. There’s a lot of fear about enforcement and safety of officers.”
Henderson Police Deputy Chief Brandon Brooks answered the media’s questions about just when staff was notified, acknowledging it was the same day as the Thursday announcement to staff.
“There was a discussion on Thursday when that decision was made,” he said.
Brooks reiterated there is no reason in his view for alarm from the public and pointed to how he believes the move will better prioritize city resources.
“They’re going to have access to all of those things that they currently have,” he said.
City officials reiterated that the change will impact the reporting function of the division, but criminal investigations, like animal cruelty, will continue to be investigated by the police.
Griesen said, although she is not a Henderson resident, she has heard questions about the immediacy and the reason for the change, if the city expects it won’t change much.
“I mean, if it’s that easy to just take a budget and move it back and forth, why can’t you just leave it where it’s at?” she questioned.
The City of Henderson sent the following statement regarding the change for the Animal Care and Control division.
Reporting to HPD has offered operational benefits to Animal Care and Control, but it has also presented challenges. HPD must prioritize critical public safety needs—such as staffing and equipment—that directly impact human life. As a result, Animal Care and Control has often been ranked lower in internal resource prioritizations.
By moving Animal Care and Control to Community Development and Services, the division can receive more focused support without competing with law enforcement priorities. Importantly, this change will not affect the quality of animal care or the services provided by the shelter.
City of Henderson spokesperson
