LAS VEGAS, Nev. (FOX5) – A shocking case of animal cruelty, Reba the English Bulldog, found trapped inside a plastic bin behind a grocery store. Despite vets best efforts to save her, she did not survive.
Her death and other recent reports of animal abuse have outraged animal lovers.
Though whoever is responsible for Reba’ death still hasn’t been identified, advocates want the punishment that person faces if caught to send a strong message.
“Outrage…I saw the initial story on FOX5 and at first, I just couldn’t believe it…it just adds to the non-stop slew of animal abuse that we’ve had,” shared Animal Lover John Waudby who created the website JusticeForReba.org where you will find a Change.org petition asking lawmakers in Nevada to increase penalties for animal abusers.
According to the Change.org petition, Reba’s bill “seeks to strengthen penalties for anyone that harms, injures, abandons, abuses or kills any animal in Nevada.”
“Based on the way that the law is written now, I can get more time for shoplifting over a $1,000 value than harming or hurting an animal,” Waudby contended.
“We have to respect our pets, our animals they become part of the family,” stated Assemblyman P.K. O’Neill, who represents part of Northern Nevada including Washoe County. During the most recent legislative session, O’Neill spearhead a bill to re-classify animal torture as a violent crime, which is now state law, keeping those convicted from being paroled early.
“We had an incident up in Reno where an individual was butchering live animals in a motel room for the amusement of it…butchering those dogs was considered a non-violent crime so he would be eligible for early parole,” O’Neill recounted.
O’Neill says lawmakers are listening and making changes. He was inspired to push for a change in law after his constituents reached out and informed him of the early parole issue. O’Neill encourages those passionate about Reba’s death to reach out to their representatives. “Contact your legislator and tell them about this,” O’Neill suggested.
Metro says they have exhausted all leads in Reba’s case. They are still asking for the public’s help and there is a $25,000 reward being offered.
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