A proposed revision to Title 17 of the zoning code governing animals was tabled by Nye County Commissioners Tuesday after Diane Davis, owner of the Dream Chaser Ranch Horse Rescue complained animal rescue groups weren't included in the ad-hoc animal committee.

Animal advocates were told to line up behind a table and sign up to receive a copy of the proposed ordinance.

The ordinance would mandate animals be given proper feed, shelter and water. Large animals would be prohibited on lots of less than one acre. The ordinance defines exotic animals in a separate category.

Jim Hannah, who voiced objections over the ordinance before the Pahrump Regional Planning Commission recently, said he was satisfied there was a definition of a family ranch in some of the zones. Hannah had concerns someone just buying or selling a horse would be considered a commercial business under the original draft.

Some animals owners expressed concern previously about Fourth Amendment rights, in a provision allowing a code compliance officer, animal control officer or other representatives to enter the property.

While Pahrump Regional Planning Commission Chairman Mark Kimball said an attempt was made to try to get as many people from the animal community together to provide input on the ordinance, Davis begged to differ.

"The first meeting was open to rescue groups and such. We were told there would be a second meeting, we were given a date and a time, then we were given e-mails and told we should not be at that meeting," Davis said.

Kimball said representatives from veterinarians, dog kennel operators and lately horse owners, had been involved in the committee.

"Over a period of about five months this group deliberated on what would be the fairest thing to do for the entire community," Kimball said.

The committee included a core group including veterinarian Dr. Suzanna Zervantian, Emergency Services Director Brent Jones, Animal Shelter Supervisor Debra Wormald, Eileen Hart-Crawford from K-9 Kastle Bed and Bone, Nye County Interim Planning Director Cheryl Beeman and Kimball. Debbie Pemberton, who was recently replaced as Nye County animal services director, also sat in on the discussions.

The adhoc animal committee had been set up after animal advocates persuaded the Pahrump Regional Planning Commission to reject a previous attempt to zone animal kennels on Oct. 11, 2006. That more restrictive ordinance would've required a minimum of 2,000 square feet per animal, a minimum of 10 acres to operate a kennel or animal sanctuary and stricter regulations targeting exotic animals.

"You're not going to get better input from the community. You're not going to get a fairer bill than the one that's in front of you," Kimball told commissioners.

But Davis countered, "We were not furnished the information we were promised. We were not invited to the meetings."

Maureen Rose, from Mariah SPCA, an animal advocate group, said, "We did give them all of our information. They sent us nothing, absolutely nothing and they told us we were blocked from the meeting, not allowed."

Some of the audience members included Zuzana Kukol and Scott Shoemaker, exotic animal owners, and animal stock owners like Garrett McCaslin.

Kimball said after the meeting, "I'm disappointed that people thought they were left out of the process."