Latest news with #AssemblyBill381
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
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
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.
Yahoo
15-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Reba's Law resurrected after expiring in legislative committee
Assemblymember Brittney Miller. (Photo: Richard Bednarski/Nevada Current) Legislation that could land animal abusers in prison for as long as ten years passed out of the Assembly Judiciary Committee late Monday after it appeared to die last week without a vote before the Legislature's first deadline. 'Amendments come and go and change at rapid speed as we approach the deadline,' the committee's chairperson, Assemblywoman Brittany Miller said during Monday's work session, indicating her internal polling of committee members last week, as amendments were crafted in the final hours, did not bode well for the measure. 'At no time was there anyone who doesn't want to address the heinous crimes and acts of animal cruelty.' Miller said lawmakers 'don't always have time to process' amendments, adding the committee was able to obtain a waiver allowing the Assembly Judiciary to vote Assembly Bill 381 out of committee. The bill, Reba's Law, was 'able to be resurrected,' Miller said, resulting in a 'much more intense, robust bill than we had before.' The measure is named for Reba, a bulldog who died of heat stroke days after she was found in a sealed tote behind a business last summer. An amendment from the Nevada District Attorneys Association eliminated provisions that would have allowed for the prosecution of individuals who allow the abuse of an animal. The amendment also removes language requiring permission from the animal's owner or a veterinarian to euthanize an animal. It instead requires a peace officer to forfeit the animal to a local government if the owner does not request a hearing within a certain time frame, or cannot be found within five business days. The local government must then decide whether to euthanize the animal or transfer ownership to a rescue organization, shelter or individual. Causing the death of an animal would be deemed a category B felony, and could land offenders in prison for one to ten years and a fine of not more than $10,000. Clark County District Attorney Steve Wolfson complained last year he needed stiffer penalties to impose against animal abusers than those allowed by law. However, a review of cases prosecuted by Wolfson indicates he rarely seeks prison time, even in egregious cases. Lynn Whatford, a Clark County resident who cared for community cats in her neighborhood, spent much of the last year seeking justice for a colony of two dozen cats she says disappeared one by one. She suspects her neighbor killed them. Nevada Voters for Animals founder Gina Greisen told lawmakers that Wolfson declined to prosecute the case after Whatford discovered a trapped cat left in her neighbor's yard without protection from the sun and a high temperature of 114 degrees on July 25, the day the cat likely died. A veterinarian's post mortem examination noted 'it is clear (the cat) experienced extreme physical suffering in an inescapable situation, and that heat stroke is the likely cause of death in this case.' Whatford complained to Clark County Animal Control for months that the cats were disappearing and that she heard cries coming from her neighbor's yard. 'Animal Control told me I needed proof, yet the officer couldn't access my neighbor's property to get the proof. Animal Control referred me to Metro, but the detective wouldn't do anything until I had proof,' Whatford said during an interview in September. Greisen testified in support of the measure, but warned that without proper training and resources for police and animal control officers, stricter penalties will do little to help stem abuse and neglect. Las Vegas justice activist Leslie Turner testified in opposition and said the measure is 'just another way to funnel more people into the criminal legal system,' and does nothing to address the causes of cruelty, including 'mental health struggles, childhood trauma, cycles of violence, economic instability.' A one to ten year sentence, she noted, exceeds the one to six year sentence for child abuse. 'How can we justify punishing someone more harshly for harming an animal than for harming a child? What does this say about our priorities?' she asked in written testimony, adding lawmakers should instead invest in 'education, early intervention, and community-based mental health resources.'
Yahoo
15-04-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Blue-nosed pit bull left for dead recovers in foster home as ‘Reba's law' moves forward
LAS VEGAS (KLAS) – A blue-nosed pit bull named Cole who was left for dead last month after being dumped near a gutter on the historic west side has turned a corner. In March, Cole's skin was inflamed and blistered, his feet raw and swollen he was taken to a local animal hospital for treatment. Abandoned pit bull rescued from road, recovering from dehydration, infection Nearly a month later, 8 News Now checked up on Cole, who made it out of Horizon Ridge Animal Hospital alive, with his appetite back, and his skin healing from mange, Cole is now in a foster home. 'He's just in recovery mode, so Cole is getting weekly baths and treatment for his ears to make sure they treat the infections inside. It's just about him thriving and surviving in a loving home,' Lindsey Pinapfel with Vegas Pet Rescue Project explained. His foster mom, Donna Phan, saw that there was a need and stepped right in to help him. Phan shared with 8 News Now how serious animal cruelty is across the valley. 'It's unfortunate that a lot of people know about the abuse, but they don't speak up. I think silence is the biggest betrayal; Especially because these animals can't speak for themselves,' Phan said. 'Reba's law' revived by Nevada Legislature 'I'm really glad the community has come through, especially with Reba's Law,' she added. Reba's Law also known as Assembly Bill 381 would establish tougher penalties on acts of animal cruelty. Reba, an English bulldog died in July after being left sealed inside a plastic tub in 110-degree heat. She survived, but died days later as a result of heat stroke and shock, according to Vegas Pet Rescue Project. On Monday, the Nevada Assembly moved to revive the bill that missed the Friday deadline to move out of committee. An exemption granted to AB 381 keeps the bill alive, and it advanced on a unanimous vote. It will now go to the full Assembly, where it will be considered for passage. From there, Senate approval is necessary before it can become law. While Cole the pit bull still has a long road back to recovery, he will be up for adoption soon. For more information, click here. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
