Nevada lawmakers approve Reba's Law; it's now on the governor's desk
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.
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