Latest news with #Reba'sLaw
Yahoo
12-06-2025
- Yahoo
‘We got justice for Reba,' law sponsor reacts after governor signs into law
LAS VEGAS (KLAS) – Those behind Assembly Bill 381, also known as 'Reba's Law,' spoke with 8 News Now after Governor Joe Lombardo signed it this week. 'We made it, we did it,' Nevada Assemblymember Melissa Hardy said. 'We got justice for Reba.' Assemblymember Hardy talked about the movement that made waves across the country and in Las Vegas. 'We've said it from day one,' Lindsey Pinapfel of Vegas Pet Rescue Project said in a past interview. 'She is the start, she is the movement.' Reba the English Bulldog was found sealed in a plastic tub in the triple-digit heat in July 2024. Reba, dog found sealed in tub in triple-digit heat, passes away Her death and the anger it inspired led to months of community activism, including a $50,000 reward for information in her case, nearly 50 billboards placed across Southern Nevada. Isaac Laushaul Jr., 32, and Markeisha Foster, 30, were arrested in December 2024 in connection with Reba's death. Each was charged with felony willful/malicious/torture/maiming/killing of a dog, cat, or animal. Community advocacy also inspired Assemblymember Hardy to sponsor the bill in Reba's name at the start of Nevada's 2025 Legislative Session. 'Such a great accomplishment, for not just me sponsoring the bill,' Assemblymember Hardy said. 'But everybody who's been involved in this.' Assemblymember Hardy shared her reaction when she found out Governor Lombardo signed AB 381 into law on Tuesday. 'I was just overcome with emotion and happiness and gratitude,' she said. 'All of it.' The legislation increases penalties for any person who willfully or maliciously hurts or kills an animal. The offense is now a Class B Felony, punishable by one to six years in prison and a $10,000 fine. It was previously a Class D Felony with a penalty of one to four years in prison and a $5,000 fine. 'I think it will be a deterrent that Nevada made a statement,' Assemblymember Hardy said. 'That we are not going to allow animals to be abused and tortured.' Another provision of the law applies to animals left in hot cars. If a person comes across a pet locked inside a hot car without air conditioning, they can call 911 or animal control and then use 'any means necessary' to get into the vehicle and save the animal. The person then must wait with the animal and the car until authorities arrive. If all steps are taken, the person will not incur any civil or criminal liability for damages, according to the law's verbiage. 'I was really excited that this was included in there,' Assemblymember Hardy said of the provision. 'Just strengthens this even more.' She called the movement a win for Southern Nevada and a way to protect other animals from Reba's same fate. 'Her story was tragic and horrible, and what she suffered, but now we can talk of Reba and the good that came of this,' Assemblymember Hardy said. 'We have a platform now, and there's awareness about it.' Reba's Law also applies to police dogs. If a person intentionally disables or kills a K-9 on duty, they will face a Class B Felony charge. Foster took a plea deal, which brought her down to a lesser charge. On May 16, documents were filed by Laushaul's attorney asking a judge to move his case from Clark County because of intense media coverage, instead wanting the trial to happen outside of Las Vegas. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
12-06-2025
- Yahoo
Nevada animal advocates hopeful after 'Reba's Law' goes into effect
Nevada Governor Joe Lombardo signs "Reba's Law," increasing penalties for animal cruelty after a bulldog was left to die in a sealed container during extreme heat in Las Vegas.
Yahoo
11-06-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Governor signs Reba's Law as DA cuts deal with one of two defendants in animal cruelty case
The law's enactment comes days after Clark County District Attorney Steve Wolfson cut a deal with one of the two defendants whose charges inspired the legislation. (Photo by) Gov. Joe Lombardo on Tuesday signed Reba's Law, a bill passed in response to the death of a bulldog who died of heat stroke days after she was found in a sealed tote behind a Las Vegas business last summer. Reba's Law increases the penalty for willful and malicious acts resulting in the death of an animal from the current maximum of four years in prison to six. Assembly Bill 381, sponsored by Republican Assemblywoman Melissa Hardy of Clark County, initially sought to increase the prison term to a maximum of ten years, but was amended. The measure almost expired in the Assembly after it failed to get a hearing before an initial deadline, but was resurrected after animal advocates applied pressure to lawmakers. Lombardo's approval comes days after Clark County District Attorney Steve Wolfson, who complained the existing maximum penalty of four years in prison wasn't adequate punishment for people who abandon animals, cut a deal with one of the two defendants. An investigation by the Current revealed Wolfson rarely seeks prison time in cases involving animals. Markeisha Foster, 30, originally charged with one count of cruelty to animals, agreed to plead guilty to a count of attempt to kill, disfigure or maim an animal of another, according to court records. She will serve seven months in jail and is expected to be released at the end of the month on time served. The other defendant, Isaac Laushaul Jr., is scheduled to stand trial this month. It's unknown if Foster is cooperating with prosecutors. 'Reba's Law strengthens our legal tools, but laws on paper are not enough without infrastructure, manpower, and training to support them,' Gina Greisen of Nevada Voters for Animals said in a news release, adding that cruelty cases often 'fall apart due to inadequate or delayed investigations, missing necropsies, and an inability to determine cause of death early—leaving prosecutors without the evidence they need to pursue charges. If there is no timely, proper, and thorough investigation on the front end of an animal cruelty complaint, there is no case.' The organization is calling on officials to support the laws with necessary resources. 'That means funding trained cruelty investigators, prioritizing forensic veterinary support, and holding agencies accountable for enforcement,' Greisen said. Another provision of Reba's Law provides criminal immunity to individuals who rescue pets left unattended in cars. Nevada law currently authorizes law enforcement or individuals to use reasonable means to protect a pet left unattended in a vehicle, and avoid civil liability. An individual rescuing a pet must ascertain the animal is in danger, notify law enforcement, take the most reasonable means to remove the pet, and remain with it until officers arrive.
Yahoo
06-06-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Las Vegas woman indicted in ‘Reba' dog death takes plea deal
LAS VEGAS (KLAS) — A Las Vegas woman indicted in the death of an English bulldog named 'Reba' took a plea deal Thursday afternoon, bringing her down to a lesser charge. On Thursday, June 5, Markeisha Foster, 30, took a plea deal, agreeing to one count of attempt to kill, maim, or disfigure an animal of another. She originally faced a charge of willful/malicious torture/maiming/killing of a dog, cat, or animal. On July 26, 2024, Las Vegas Metro police officers found the English bulldog, later named 'Reba,' in the 1100 block of East Twain Avenue, near Maryland Parkway, next to a dumpster inside a tote that was taped shut. The temperature that night hovered around 110 degrees. The National Weather Service reported a high of 111 for the evening. Reba died the next day. Her death made national headlines as people called for 'Justice for Reba.' Last December, police arrested Issac Laushaul Jr., 32, and Foster on animal abuse charges. A grand jury later voted to indict them on similar charges. On May 16, documents were filed by Laushaul's attorney asking a judge to move his case from Clark County because of intense media coverage, instead wanting to the trail to happen outside of Las Vegas. While not asking for a venue change, Foster's attorney asked the judge to sever her case from Laushaul's. The filing indicated Laushaul and his attorney believe they will be unable to find an impartial jury. RELATED: Nevada lawmakers approve Reba's Law; it's now on the governor's desk 'The media has followed this case/story extensively,' Laushaul's attorney wrote in court documents filed May 16, citing 8 News Now's reporting. 'Media coverage has included photographs, articles all about 'Reba,' interviews with individuals who know the defendant, coverage of in-court proceedings, pending motions, comments by prosecutors, police, and defense attorneys, and interviews and analyses of veterinarians as to 'how this could have all happened.'' News coverage of Reba's death began in the months after Laushaul and Foster allegedly left her in the heat, as police released video footage of their suspects. Prosecutors oppose the venue change, writing, 'The mere existence of publicity does not require a trial to be moved.' Additional details about Foster's plea deal were not immediately known. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
04-06-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Nevada lawmakers approve Reba's Law; it's now on the governor's desk
LAS VEGAS (KLAS) — Monday was the last day of the 120-day legislative session in Nevada and late that night, Nevada lawmakers passed Reba's Law, an animal cruelty measure. The proposal, Assembly Bill 381, was aimed at strengthening penalties against animal abusers after the death of an English bulldog who died in July 2024 after she was left sealed inside a plastic tub in 110-degree heat. She initially survived, but died days later as a result of heat stroke. Republican Assem. Melissa Hardy proposed the bill, which also establishes a wider range of penalties so prosecutors can more easily make the punishment fit the crime, she said. 'As I stated from the beginning, the intent was to seek justice for Reba and to be the voice for the voiceless, those that are harmed, abused and killed that can't speak for themselves,' Hardy said in April when the bill, which missed a deadline to move out of committee, was granted an excemption to be revived. Current law allows only misdemeanors to punish people involved in a wide variety of animal cruelty cases. The sentences range from one to four years in prison, even when the animal dies. This bill calls for tougher penalties in more extreme cases, including when an animal is killed or when a police animal is disabled or killed. The bill lists the punishment in both cases as imprisonment for a minimum term of not less than one year and a maximum term of not more than six years. Republican Gov. Joe Lombardo had not signed the bill as of Tuesday afternoon. RELATED: Dog dies in extreme Las Vegas heat after woman says she fell asleep, forgot about dog for 20 hours Reba's death made national headlines in 2024 as people called for 'Justice for Reba.' In December, police arrested Issac Laushaul Jr., 32; and Markeisha Foster, 30, on animal abuse charges. A grand jury later voted to indict them on similar charges. On Monday, the 8 News Now Investigators reported that Laushaul wanted his trial to happen outside of Las Vegas because of intense media coverage. 'The media has followed this case/story extensively,' Laushaul's attorney wrote in court documents filed May 16, citing 8 News Now's reporting. 'Media coverage has included photographs, articles all about 'Reba,' interviews with individuals who know the defendant, coverage of in-court proceedings, pending motions, comments by prosecutors, police, and defense attorneys, and interviews and analyses of veterinarians as to 'how this could have all happened.'' The filing indicates Laushaul and his attorney believe they will be unable to find an impartial jury. While not asking for a venue change, Foster's attorney asked the judge to sever her case from Laushaul's. Clark County District Court Judge Ron Israel was scheduled to hear arguments on both issues Wednesday. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
