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 Ethan Miller/Getty Images)

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.