LAS VEGAS, Nev. (FOX5) – Another step forward for Reba’s Law Wednesday. It is a push for stiffer penalties for those who abuse animals. The proposal is named after Reba, an English bulldog found trapped inside a plastic bin tapped shut behind a grocery store near UNLV last summer. Despite being found alive, the dog did not survive.
During a hearing in the Assembly, supporters explained why there needs to be a change in current Nevada law to better protect animals and some who disagree with the proposed changes spoke out against Reba’s Law.
“This bill affectionately referred to as Reba’s Law obviously cannot bring her back or change the circumstance of what happened to this sweet innocent animal… and many others that suffer as she did, but it can protect animals throughout the state in the future,” contended Assemblymember Melissa Hardy, sponsor of Assembly Bill 381.
Two people were arrested for Reba’s death, but the Clark County District Attorney said even if convicted, they could be eligible for parole in just a year and a half. He called for state lawmakers to create harsher penalties, and they are answering that call. “We must make sure heinous and willful acts of abuse, neglect and harm carry stiff penalties and consequences,” argued Hardy.
Hardy says Assembly Bill 381 aims to broaden the definition of animal cruelty and increase current penalties. “If you injure an animal, punishment is one to four years in the Nevada Department of Corrections.
If you kill an animal, the punishment is between one to four years in Nevada of Corrections. There is not a big range there to punish what is arguably an extreme range of conduct,” revealed John Jones with the Nevada District Attorneys Association and the Clark County District Attorney’s Office.
Jones, testifying in support of the bill, shared how penalties would change. “If an animal dies due to somebody’s woeful and malicious act, potential punishment would increase to between one and ten years in the Nevada Department of Correction,” Jones reported.
Reba’s Law is not without opposition. Representatives from Clark County and Washoe County Public Defender’s Offices spoke against it. “An issue that we see with this bill is the disproportionate impact on people with a lower socioeconomic status. They may love their pet very much but can’t afford to spend money on vet bills, that is an important lens to view this bill with,” asserted Paloma Guerrero with the Clark County Public Defender’s Office.
Angela Knott, Washoe County Public Defender’s Office added, “Just for comparison, I think it’s important to note that a felony child abuse that doesn’t have any enhancements is a category B felony that carries a one to six years in prison.”
Jones said conversations with the two largest public defender offices in Nevada about this bill on what increased penalties should look like are still possible. Many want to ensure that Reba’s Law gets to Governor Lomabardo’s desk and across the finish line even if some changes must be made.
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