35 Dogs Seized From Las Vegas Training Facility in Alleged Cruelty Case

On April 1, officers from the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department executed a search warrant at Working Dogs of Nevada, a training and rehabilitation facility on the 7300 block of West Lake Mead Boulevard. They left with 35 dogs.

The raid was the culmination of a weeks-long investigation that LVMPD’s Animal Cruelty Section had been running since early March. It began after a tip that training practices at the facility may constitute felony cruelty.

Animal Protection Services from both the city and county assisted in the operation.

Neighbors and shoppers in the area initially assumed the heavy police presence was something else entirely, only later realising animals were being removed from the building.

The Video That Started It All

Much of the public alarm around this case traces back to footage obtained by KTNV. In one clip, a dog appears to be kicked and then dragged by a leash while visibly backing into a corner in distress.

The person who recorded it told reporters she had only worked at the facility for two days before deciding she needed to document what she was seeing and take it to police.

Another woman said she’d heard rumours of abuse independently, reported her concerns to authorities, and has since adopted two dogs that were housed at the facility, including the dog seen in the video.

Who Was Arrested

LVMPD arrested two people in connection with the investigation.

John Johnstone, 38, was booked on four felony counts of willfully or maliciously torturing, maiming, or mutilating an animal kept for companionship or pleasure.

Tabitha Berube, 32, was booked on one felony count under the same statute.

Both have since posted bond, and a status check on the filing of a criminal complaint is scheduled for April 29 in Las Vegas Justice Court.

Both are presumed innocent unless proven guilty. As part of the enforcement action, Working Dogs of Nevada also had its business licence suspended on an emergency basis.

When reporters visited, the building was locked and cages inside appeared empty. A sign on the front door directed anyone with concerns to contact animal control.

Where the Dogs Are Now

All 35 seized dogs were transported to The Animal Foundation, Las Vegas’s primary open-admission shelter.

The Foundation later noted that 36 dogs were actually brought in, with three quickly reclaimed by their owners the same evening.

Because the animals are connected to an active court case, they’re classified as investigation holds — meaning staff can’t publicly discuss individual animals, and adoption or transfer requires approval from Animal Protection Services and law enforcement.

Combined with 15 dogs from an unrelated investigation, the seized animals pushed the total dog population on campus to around 405.

CEO Hilarie Grey told News 3 that large cruelty cases are uniquely taxing, since every animal has to be assessed not just for physical injuries but for psychological trauma too.

To ease the pressure, Best Friends Animal Society has arranged a transport of more than 30 dogs to partner shelters and rescues in Utah, where there are currently more adopters than available animals.

If Your Dog Was at the Facility

Owners who believe their dog was housed or trained at Working Dogs of Nevada should contact Animal Protection Services first, as they decide whether a specific animal can be released while the case is pending. Once approved, owners can bring proof of ownership to The Animal Foundation to reclaim their dog.

Dogs are being held for a minimum of seven days, but the broader timeline depends on decisions from Animal Protection Services and the courts.

Responses From Those Involved

A family member of Tabitha Berube pushed back on the allegations in a statement to News 3, describing her as someone with a long history of taking in dogs at risk of euthanasia.

The relative said they had never witnessed any abuse and found the charges deeply inconsistent with the person they knew.

The Jason Heigl Foundation, an animal advocacy nonprofit founded by actress Katherine Heigl and her mother, Nancy, confirmed it had previously paid Working Dogs of Nevada on a fee-for-service basis to help train and place dogs rescued from Los Angeles shelters.

The foundation clarified it was not a formal partner or sponsor, said nothing in its prior interactions had suggested the conduct now alleged, and confirmed it had immediately cut all ties once the allegations became public.

What This Case Reveals

For many Las Vegas residents, the allegations cut close to home.

One neighbour told reporters he had seriously considered using Working Dogs of Nevada for his own dog, comparing the trust placed in a trainer to leaving a child with a caregiver.

That trust, this case illustrates, can be exploited. Abusive practices can hide behind polished websites, rescue-focused branding, and claims of rehabilitation expertise.

The whistleblower here (a woman who recorded video after just two days on the job) is a reminder of how critical it is for anyone who sees something to say something.

Animal welfare groups recommend visiting facilities unannounced, asking trainers directly about their methods, and being wary of anyone who resists observation or questions.

How to Help or Report Concerns

If you have information about this case, the LVMPD Animal Cruelty Section can be reached at 702-828-2907 or at animalcruelty@lvmpd.com. Anonymous tips can be submitted through Crime Stoppers at 702-385-5555.

The Animal Foundation is especially encouraging fostering and adoption of dogs not on legal holds, particularly mid-week when the campus is less crowded. Volunteering and donations also go a long way during large-scale cruelty cases like this one.

The next court date for Johnstone and Berube is April 29. As the legal process unfolds, the long-term wellbeing of these dogs will depend on the community showing up for them.