‘We got justice for Reba,' law sponsor reacts after governor signs into law
'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.
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