‘Reba's Law' at Nevada Legislature toughens penalties for animal cruelty, torture
Isaac Laushaul Jr., 32, and Markeisha Foster, 30, were arrested in December 2024, about six months after Reba was found taped inside a plastic tub left next to a dumpster near a grocery store on E. Twain Avenue near Maryland Parkway and Flamingo Road. It was 110 degrees outside and Reba died two days later from the effects of heat stroke. The trial for Laushaul and Foster is scheduled to start on June 16.
Reba's ordeal was widely publicized, and Clark County District Attorney Steve Wolfson commented that the punishment didn't fit the crime, calling for tougher laws. A felony charge of willful/malicious torture/maiming/killing of a dog, cat, or animal carries a maximum of four years in prison and a $5,000 fine.
Assembly Bill 381 (AB381), known as Reba's Law, was introduced Monday at the Nevada Legislature. It is sponsored by Assembly Republicans Melissa Hardy and Brian Hibbetts, along with Democratic Sen. Melanie Scheible.
The bill redefines 'torture' or 'cruelty' to animals, broadening it to people who commit the act and people who allow it by doing nothing to stop it from happening.
A willful and malicious violation becomes a category B felony if the animal dies. Also, the bill makes it a Category C felony to hurt a police dog, becoming a Category B felony if the dog is totally disabled or killed. A Category B felony is punishable by a prison sentence of 1-20 years, with a fine of up to $15,000 and possible restitution requirements. Category C felonies carry a prison term of 1-5 years, with fines up to $10,000 and possible restitution.
Other sections of the bill would eliminate practices of a court ordering an animal to be sold at auction, which can happen now if police take possession of an abused animal. It would allow for the animal to be humanely destroyed or kept in the officer's care.
If the person arrested in the case doesn't request a hearing or the animal's owner hasn't been identified within five days, the animal must be forfeited to the county, city or other local government that took possession of the animal. It would then transfer ownership to a shelter.
The bill eliminates an exception that allows cruelty to animals on land used for agriculture.
AB381 has not been scheduled for a hearing yet.
Laushaul and Foster have been in custody at the Clark County Detention Center since their arrests.
The Las Vegas City Council adopted tougher penalties for animal hoarding and animal abandonment in January.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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