The Henderson City Council unanimously approved updated animal welfare codes on Wednesday, introducing stronger protections for animals and new provisions for rural residents. The revised regulations, which take effect immediately, include updates to Titles 7 and 19 of the Henderson Municipal Code in response to community requests for clearer standards on animal care and enforcement, according to the City of Henderson release.
The new rules prohibit the sale of animals in public spaces without a permit and ban inhumane practices such as poisoning or crushing animals. One major addition is “Reba’s Law,” aligned with Assembly Bill 381, which allows individuals to intervene if they see animals in distress inside motor vehicles. Other updates include a 72-hour period for reuniting trapped animals with their owners and restrictions on selling very young ducklings and chicks, as per the same release.
For rural areas, the ordinance expands livestock options, allowing residents to raise horses, cattle, goats, sheep, swine, chickens, and roosters on qualified properties. According to Eddie Dichter, Director of Community Development and Services, community feedback played a key role in shaping the updates.
The revised codes also include measures to encourage pet adoption, such as waiving fees for veterans and first responders, and permit residents to manage free-roaming cat populations under humane guidelines. More information about the updated animal welfare codes is available on the Henderson Development Code page.
