What Happened
Big news for animal lovers this week! A bill that seemed stalled just days ago is now back on track. Reba’s Law, or Assembly Bill 381, was revived on Monday after public outcry. The bill would put animal abusers behind bars for up to ten years.
The bill is named after Reba, a bulldog who died last summer after being found in a sealed plastic bin behind a store on a hot day. Her story touched many hearts.
When the bill failed to advance last week, citizens sprang into action. A petition on Change.org titled “Unseat Nevada Assemblymembers Brittney Miller & Elaine Marzola for killing Reba’s Law AB381“ quickly gathered over 1,500 signatures.
“The floodgates opened, and people were just outraged.”
This public pressure helped convince legislators to take another look.
“At no time was there anyone who doesn’t want to address the heinous crimes and acts of animal cruelty,” said Assemblywoman Brittney Miller (D), who chairs the committee that revived the bill.
Why It Matters to Conservatives
This bill speaks to core conservative values of personal responsibility and protecting the innocent. When someone makes the choice to harm an animal, they should face real consequences.
Right now, animal abusers in Nevada can get just one to four years in prison – even if they kill an animal. That’s not enough to match the crime.
Clark County District Attorney Steve Wolfson has been pushing for tougher penalties. He said the current punishment “doesn’t fit the crime” and suggested penalties “in the range of 1-10 years in prison” would be more appropriate.
It’s worth noting that while Wolfson has called for stronger laws, records show he hasn’t often sought prison time for animal abusers in past cases, even when the abuse was wanton.
For conservatives who believe in law and order, this bill creates clearer lines between right and wrong. It also respects the rights of pet owners by letting them get restraining orders against people who harm their animals.
What Critics Are Saying
Not everyone supports the bill. Some public defenders worry it could hurt poor pet owners who simply can’t afford vet bills but still love their pets.
Las Vegas justice activist Leslie Turner testified that the measure is “just another way to funnel more people into the criminal legal system” and does nothing to address the causes of animal cruelty like mental health issues.
Turner also pointed out that the proposed one to ten year sentence for animal abuse would exceed 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?” she asked.
What Happens Next
The bill now moves forward with several changes. These include:
- Making the death of an animal a category B felony with prison time from one to ten years and a fine up to $10,000
- Banning convicted animal abusers from owning animals again (forever for Class B felonies, seven years for Class C felonies)
- Allowing restraining orders against people who harm your pets
The bill needs to pass the full Assembly by April 22. Then it must get through a Senate committee and the full Senate before the governor can sign it into law.
What You Can Do
If you care about animal protection and tougher penalties for abusers, here’s how you can help:
- Call or email your Nevada state representatives and tell them you support Reba’s Law.
- Share Reba’s story on social media to raise awareness.
- Attend public hearings on the bill to show your support in person.
Remember that your voice matters. Public pressure already made a difference once in this legislative process.
This article was written with the assistance of AI. Please verify information and consult additional sources as needed.
