North Las Vegas Horror as Family Dog Shot Dead by Neighbor in Shocking Backyard Attack

A North Las Vegas family is calling for justice after their 12-year-old Maltese mix, Simba, was allegedly shot and killed by a next-door neighbor in what authorities are investigating as a disturbing act of intentional animal cruelty.

The incident, which unfolded on December 4 near the 95 and Gowan intersection, has reignited urgent debate over Nevada’s animal-protection laws and whether the state is doing enough to punish people who deliberately harm pets.

Surveillance Footage Reveals Disturbing Sequence

A heartbreaking scene greeted owner Gerard Centelles when he reviewed his home surveillance footage just hours after discovering Simba dead in the backyard.

The recording, now central to the investigation, appears to show the family’s neighbor, 31-year-old Sergio Ramirez, stepping outside to throw away trash before slipping back into his garage and switching off the light. Moments later, a single gunshot erupts.

Simba barks, flees toward home, and the suspect is seen shutting himself back inside.

Additional footage too graphic to publicly release shows the elderly dog limping into the yard before collapsing, a final discovery Centelles made the next morning while preparing Simba’s breakfast.

No Provocation and a Devastated Family

What has shaken residents even more is the apparent lack of any provocation.

Centelles says Simba was simply standing in his own yard, silent and relaxed, when the shot rang out.

He insists there was no prior conflict with the neighbor and no behavior that could justify violence. The family, already mourning other recent losses due to age and illness, has been left devastated.

Serious Criminal Charges Filed Against Neighbor

Ramirez was arrested later that same day and now faces an array of serious charges.

The primary count — willful or malicious torture of an animal — falls under Nevada’s stricter penalties introduced by Reba’s Law, which took effect earlier this year.

He is also accused of possessing a gun as a prohibited person, along with a pending probation-violation review that suggests a criminal history still being examined.

The firearm charge has prompted further questions about how Ramirez obtained the weapon and whether additional safeguards were missed.

Reba’s Law Brings Stronger Penalties for Animal Cruelty

Simba’s killing comes at a pivotal time for Nevada’s animal-welfare movement.

Reba’s Law, passed after the widely publicized death of an English bulldog who perished inside a sealed container in extreme heat, reclassified intentional acts that result in an animal’s death as a category B felony.

Offenders now face one to six years in prison and fines up to $10,000 — sentencing guidelines advocates fought for after years of comparatively lenient punishment for even deliberate cruelty.

Animal Advocates Push for Accountability

Centelles is now partnering with Nevada Voters for Animals, a longtime advocacy group instrumental in laws such as Cooney’s Law, which made egregious animal abuse a felony and recognized its links to domestic violence.

The organization has played a key role in exposing dangerous kennels, rescuing animals from neglect, and pushing for stronger oversight of pet-related businesses.

They say this case is a stark reminder of why tough enforcement is essential and are urging the Clark County District Attorney’s office to pursue every charge available.

Next Steps in the Legal Process

Ramirez is due back in court on Tuesday for a status check that will determine bail conditions and the next steps toward trial.

With clear surveillance footage and what investigators describe as strong supporting evidence, the case is expected to move forward quickly.

Community Outrage and a Call for Change

Simba’s death has already sparked wider conversations across North Las Vegas about community safety, responsible gun ownership, and the often-overlooked seriousness of animal cruelty.

Advocates say the tragedy underscores the need for transparency in pet-care facilities and continued legislative reform, while families are left wondering how a dog standing quietly in his own yard could become the victim of such brutality.

A Family’s Fight for Justice

For the Centelles family, the mission now is simple: ensure Simba’s death leads to accountability and sends a message that Nevada will not tolerate violence against pets.

Their grief, and their determination, have placed renewed focus on a case that could shape how the state handles animal cruelty for years to come.