Justice for Reba: Sentencing Hearings Set for Next Week

If you care about animal welfare in Nevada, there are moments that can define an entire movement — and September’s upcoming court hearings for Reba’s case are exactly that. Reba, the English bulldog whose senseless, horrific death brought the state to its feet, has become a symbol not just for heartbreak, but for change. Her suffering galvanized lawmakers and advocates to pass sweeping reforms. Now, as the two people charged in her death face sentencing under the newly adopted Reba’s Law, the eyes of Nevada — and animal advocates everywhere — are fixed on what happens next. If you’ve ever wondered if showing up matters, or if justice is truly possible for the voiceless among us, these hearings are your answer.

Where Justice and Presence Collide

This September, the Regional Justice Center in downtown Las Vegas will host two pivotal hearings — not only for those charged, but for a state demanding accountability. On Monday, September 8, 2025 at 10:00 a.m., Markeisha Foster will stand before a judge. Just two days later, on Wednesday, September 10, 2025 at 10:00 a.m., Isaac Laushaul Jr. will do the same. Both proceedings will take place at the Regional Justice Center, 200 E Lewis Ave, Las Vegas, NV 89101. Each moment offers the community a rare opportunity: to demonstrate, in no uncertain terms, that cruelty to animals will not pass unnoticed or unpunished in Nevada’s courts.

For those who have followed Reba’s story, or who have ever spoken out for animals unable to defend themselves, your presence in the courtroom is not just symbolic — it’s a powerful declaration that these laws, and the lives they aim to protect, truly matter. When the community takes its seat, it’s not just occupying space; it’s sending a resounding message about justice and compassion in the Silver State.

The Heartbreak Behind Reba’s Law

No one who heard Reba’s story in July 2024 will soon forget it. Discovered taped shut inside a plastic storage bin and abandoned in the punishing Las Vegas heat, her ordeal struck a nerve so deep that shock quickly turned to outrage. What followed was more than mourning. It was a unifying demand for change — dog lovers, rescue volunteers, politicians, and ordinary citizens all converged on one truth: Nevada’s laws had to be stronger.

It’s not often a tragedy is followed so swiftly by concrete action, but that’s exactly what happened here. Driven by countless emails, phone calls, town hall meetings, and social media campaigns, Reba’s advocates didn’t let the news fade. Instead, their grief echoed all the way to Carson City, forcing lawmakers to not only listen, but act decisively. The result was one of the most comprehensive overhauls of animal cruelty laws in state history, proving once and for all that grassroots advocacy does indeed change lives — and laws.

What Did Reba’s Law Actually Change?

Earlier this year, Assembly Bill 381 — now known as Reba’s Law — was signed with overwhelming support, dramatically raising the stakes for anyone who would harm an animal in Nevada. The law’s toughest new provisions make clear that cruelty is not a minor misdemeanor matter, but a serious felony offense. Now, a first-time conviction for the torture of an animal is classified as a Category C felony, carrying one to five years in prison. If the cruelty results in an animal’s death, sentences can extend up to a full decade. For egregious, willful, and malicious acts that cause death, Category B felony charges may apply, enabling judges to hand down sentences from one to six years.

But legal consequences go even further: for the worst offenders, courts can impose lifetime bans on owning or living with animals — permanently removing the privilege of animal guardianship. Finally, the law now mandates anyone who witnesses animal cruelty to report it, making every Nevadan responsible for the weak and voiceless. As co-sponsor Assemblywoman Melissa Hardy told the Las Vegas Review-Journal, this law was a direct response to public outcry — a testament to the power of a community refusing to let cruelty fade into silence.

Why Does Attending These Hearings Matter?

The sentencing of Markeisha Foster and Isaac Laushaul Jr. represents more than personal accountability for one devastating act; it is the real-world test of Reba’s Law. Will Nevada’s toughest animal cruelty statutes on the books finally be matched by equally tough sentences in practice? These hearings will set precedent, signaling to all — inside and beyond Nevada — that animal cruelty is a grave crime with meaningful and lasting consequences.

For those in the rescue and advocacy community, these dates are also about something intangible but equally vital: honoring Reba’s memory with action. Standing together in the courtroom ensures that her suffering was not in vain, and that the law carrying her name lives up to its promise. These hearings are a call to collective witness, where every attendee is both advocate and guardian of the progress made.

How You Can Be a Voice for Justice

Show Up Where It Matters Most

If you’re able, attending the hearings in person is one of the most impactful ways to demonstrate ongoing vigilance and solidarity. A respectful, attentive presence fills those courtroom seats with a reminder that the community is watching — and expecting justice to be served.

Spread the Word

Not everyone can attend, but everyone can amplify Reba’s story. Share the hearing dates, speak to friends and family, and remind fellow advocates that laws only matter if people care enough to keep them in the public spotlight.

Support Animal Rescues on the Frontlines

Rescue groups like Vegas Pet Rescue Project work every day for animals who will never be featured in a headline. Donations, fostering, volunteering — each action helps to carry Reba’s legacy forward in practical ways. Don’t just stand by; stand with those giving animals a second chance.

Understand Your Responsibility to Report Abuse

Reba’s Law places responsibility firmly in the hands of every Nevadan: if you witness or suspect animal cruelty, you must report it. Your watchfulness, and willingness to speak up, may be what saves another life from suffering in silence.

Justice Beyond Punishment

While Reba’s death remains a tragedy, her legacy endures in every changed law, every united voice, and every act of compassion that follows. These hearings aren’t just the final chapter in her story — they are the beginning of a new era of accountability. Nevada is signaling, loudly and publicly, that it will never accept cruelty as ‘just part of life.’ Whether you’re able to fill the courtroom on September 8 or 10, or are raising your voice in your own community, remember this: true justice for animals is built each time we choose action over apathy, and courage over convenience.

Want to know more about what Reba’s Law actually covers? Check out our in-depth June breakdown for a closer look at the legal details and how they’re changing Nevada for animals — and their advocates — everywhere.

In a Nutshell

• Reba’s Law is about far more than harsher sentences — it’s a community-driven demand for real, lasting change, now facing a defining moment in court this September.
• Your presence and voice matter more than ever, both in the courtroom and beyond, to ensure the promise of new laws becomes reality for Nevada’s animals.
• Whether you attend, spread awareness, volunteer, or report cruelty, every action honors Reba’s legacy and reinforces the power of advocacy in achieving true justice.