A new dog training business has been approved to operate out of the same Las Vegas location where Working Dogs of Nevada was shut down earlier this year following an animal cruelty investigation.

Nevada Canine is taking over the space near Lake Mead Boulevard and Tenaya Way, and its owner, Zachary Dickmeyer, previously worked as a manager at Working Dogs of Nevada, reports KTNV.

Dickmeyer was not charged in the criminal case. He told KTNV he was far removed from the part of the operation that became the focus of the investigation and did not know about the conduct police later alleged.

The City of Las Vegas approved Nevada Canine’s license with strict conditions attached. The business is barred from using independent contractors for animal-related services and must meet new requirements for cooling systems in its outdoor kennel areas.

City officials also specifically prohibited Terry Davis, the former license holder for Working Dogs of Nevada, from having any role in Nevada Canine.

Davis cannot own, manage, supervise, control, or direct the new business, make management decisions, supervise employees, or provide direction on animal care under the terms of the license.

The city said Nevada Canine’s temporary license will be closely monitored by its licensing team for six months, and any violation of the conditions could result in immediate suspension or revocation.

The original investigation began after Las Vegas police served a search warrant at Working Dogs of Nevada on April 1, seizing 35 dogs over training practices investigators believed rose to the level of felony animal cruelty.

Two employees, trainer John Johnstone and staffer Tabitha Berube, were arrested, though prosecutors later dropped Berube’s charge for insufficient evidence and Johnstone was deported to Scotland before his case could be resolved.

We also examined what the case revealed about gaps in Nevada’s animal cruelty laws, noting that neither defendant ultimately faced a conviction despite video evidence of the alleged abuse.

Dickmeyer said he understands why some in the community have questions given his past ties to the former operation, but is asking people to give the new business a chance.