Las Vegas veterinarian under investigation for selling pups without breeding permit

By Dana Gentry

Nevada Current

A Clark County Animal Control investigator is looking into allegations that Dr. Christopher Yach, the owner of West Flamingo Animal Hospital, is attempting to sell puppies without a breeder’s license, according to Yach’s office and a Clark County Animal Protection Services email obtained by the Current. Animal breeding without a license is a potential misdemeanor that can carry significant fines.

“We’re thrilled to share that Jett (Dr. Yach’s beloved dog) has had 7 beautiful Labrador Retriever puppies,” says an email sent to Yach’s clients last week by his office. “These adorable puppies are AKC registered and come in a variety of beautiful colors.”

The “adoption fee” for the puppies — five females and two males — is $1,800 each, according to the email.

Yach, a Clark County spokeswoman says, has no breeding license.

The Clark County Commission recently increased penalties for unlicensed breeders. A first offense warrants a fine of $500 per animal or the cost of the animal as offered for sale, whichever is more. The cost of a breeding permit is $400.

Yach declined to be interviewed.

“Dr Yach is aware that there are many groups that are upset with the fact that his personal pet has had puppies and at this point, Dr Yach is not a breeder. He believes in spaying and neutering pets,” Julie Johnson, Yach’s hospital manager, said during a phone interview Wednesday.

“The act of breeding your dog makes you a breeder,” said animal activist Bryce Henderson, who was provided the pup solicitation by two of Yach’s clients.

Henderson, founder of No Kill Las Vegas, says the incident is evidence that the public is uneducated about breeding, assuming Yach didn’t know the law.

“You would think someone who works in the animal field, and especially a veterinarian, would be aware of the crisis we’re in and how many animals are being killed at the shelter, and that we don’t need more puppies right now,” Henderson said Thursday.

Animal shelters in Clark County are killing dogs and cats to make room for more, and lawmakers recently rejected a measure that would have outlawed the sale of puppies and kittens from pet stores.

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Dana Gentry is a native Las Vegan and award-winning investigative journalist. She is a graduate of Bishop Gorman High School and holds a Bachelor's degree in Communications from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas.