Lawmakers introduce 'Reba's Law' to toughen Nevada animal cruelty penalties

LAS VEGAS (KSNV) — Nevada lawmakers have introduced a bill that would toughen animal cruelty laws in the state.

Under current state law, a first offense of acts of torture or cruelty to animals is listed as a category D felony, which is punishable by one to four years in prison.

Dubbed by supporters as "Reba's Law," AB 381 would change certain acts of torture or cruelty to animals into a category B felony if the animal dies, or the action is meant to threaten or intimidate someone. That could mean a person faces a decade behind bars if convicted.

Torture or cruelty to a police animal would be upgraded to higher-level felonies as well.

The bill would also change existing law governing the definitions of animal torture or cruelty to include anyone who permits or doesn't stop abuse.

Nevada Paws the Link has pushed for changes to the state's animal cruelty laws in light of the death of Reba, an English bulldog found in a sealed container in Las Vegas over the summer.

Isaac Laushaul Jr., 32, and Markeisha Foster, 30, have been charged with animal cruelty in the case.

Clark County District Attorney Steve Wolfson told reporters last year that he could only prosecute them for the category D felony and called on lawmakers to stiffen the penalty.

"One of the messages I want to get across is that punishment doesn't fit the crime in this case," Wolfson said. "As prosecutors, we can only file charges that our lawmakers provide us. Our judges can only issue penalties on what the law provides."