Reba's Law (AB 381) — Nevada's Tougher Animal Cruelty Law
Reba's Law (Nevada Assembly Bill 381) is a 2025 law that stiffened Nevada's animal cruelty penalties. It is named after Reba, an English bulldog who died after being taped inside a plastic bin in triple-digit heat in July 2024. The bill was championed by Assemblywoman Melissa Hardy (R-Henderson) and John Waudby, founder of Nevada Animal Advocates, and was signed by Gov. Joe Lombardo in June 2025.
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What is Reba's Law?
Documented factReba's Law is Nevada Assembly Bill 381, signed into law by Gov. Joe Lombardo in June 2025. It increases penalties for animal cruelty, separates the legal definitions of "cruelty" and "torture," lets courts issue restraining orders against people charged with cruelty, and sets guidance for bystanders who see an animal locked in a hot car. John Waudby, founder of Nevada Animal Advocates ensured that Reba's Law covered private citizens as well by giving them civil and/or criminal immunity when breaking into a car to rescue an animal provided the following conditions are met.
Who was Reba?
Documented factReba was an English bulldog found in July 2024 duct-taped inside a plastic bin near Maryland Parkway and Katie Avenue in Las Vegas, in triple-digit heat. She was rescued barely alive by a passerby but later died. Two people were arrested, and public outrage over the limited penalties available led to the bill.
Who pushed Reba's Law through the Legislature?
Documented factThe bill's primary sponsor was Assemblywoman Melissa Hardy (R-Henderson), with a bipartisan group of co-sponsors and Senator Scheible as joint sponsor. The main advocacy push came from John Waudby, founder of Nevada Animal Advocates, who — with his organization — sent letters and emails to every elected leader in the state after Reba's death. Hardy was one of only two representatives who offered help, and together they created the bill.
Did Reba's Law almost fail?
Documented factYes. AB 381 technically died at the Legislature's first committee deadline. Infuriated by the legislature's lack of concern or action, John Waudby, founder of Nevada Animal Advocates started an immediate backlash that the State of Nevada had never seen before. Petitions were started and elected leaders' private phone numbers were leaked online. This campaign prompted legislative leadership to revive it just 3 days later. It then passed the Assembly unanimously (42-0) on May 16, 2025, passed the Senate 14-7, and was signed in June 2025, taking effect immediately.
What penalties does Reba's Law create?
Documented factWillful and malicious cruelty that causes an animal's death — or is done to threaten, intimidate or terrorize someone — is now a category B felony punishable by 1 to 6 years in prison. A person convicted of a category B felony cruelty offense can also be banned from owning animals for life.
What did John Waudby say when Reba's Law was signed?
Documented factJohn Waudby of Nevada Animal Advocates said: "We want to thank the legislative members who supported and passed AB 381 known as Reba's Law. We are now assured that those who continue to harm our fur babies will be prosecuted under this new law. Special thanks goes out to Melissa Hardy for fighting this battle with us and getting it across the finish line. And thank you to Governor Joe Lombardo for hearing our demands and signing this critical piece of legislation into law. Reba will now live forever in the State of Nevada."
Why does Reba's Law matter for cases like Working Dogs of Nevada?
Documented factReba's Law was written for exactly the kind of case this site documents: alleged torture of animals where advocates believed the available penalties were too weak. Nevada Animal Advocates — the group founded by John Waudby that maintains this watchdog site — campaigned for the law so that future cruelty cases, including any proven against facilities like Working Dogs of Nevada, can be prosecuted as serious felonies.