Advocates Say Beau’s Case Shows Reba’s Law Is Not Being Enforced as Intended

Animal advocates say the abandonment of Beau, a Labrador found with severe wounds in a vacant Las Vegas home, shows that Nevada’s Reba’s Law is not being enforced as intended.

Beau remains at Centennial Hills Animal Hospital, and Metro Police say no suspect has been arrested.

John Waudby, founder of Nevada Animal Advocates and the person behind Reba’s Law, credits police, Animal Control, and investigators for charging offenders.

He places responsibility for enforcement on the Clark County District Attorney.

Waudby said too many cases end in plea deals, and he hopes stronger penalties will deter abusers.

News 3 asked District Attorney Steve Wolfson’s office to respond to that claim and to say whether Beau’s case will be prosecuted under the law, but had not heard back as of publication.

Reba’s Law passed in 2025 and increases prison time for animal cruelty.

It is named for an English bulldog that died of heat stroke after being abandoned inside a sealed plastic storage bin.

Waudby plans to return to lawmakers before the upcoming legislative session.

He wants sentences for convicted offenders to be indeterminate, which would take sentencing decisions out of the judge’s hands.

Ben Jenkins, lead volunteer with Retriever Rescue of Las Vegas, which is caring for Beau, called the dog “just another example” of why the law needs enforcement.

He said Beau was hogtied with his paws wrapped together, and that a rubber band was placed on the dog’s genitals.

Veterinarian Tien Hoang said Beau’s wounds were in bad condition but already starting to heal.

Beau will likely stay at the hospital for at least two weeks before he can be fostered or adopted.

Jenkins also said The Animal Foundation is full, many rescues are pausing intake, and two Valley rescues are shutting down for lack of funding.

He pointed to a new shelter under construction as a future help.

We’ve followed Beau’s case from the start, including the latest on his move to Retriever Rescue of Las Vegas and The Animal Foundation’s appeal for donations.

The debate over prosecution is not new in Southern Nevada.

We examined it in Nevada Has Strong Animal Cruelty Laws, and Prosecutors Who Won’t Use Them, and the District Attorney’s office defended itself after a complaint over the Working Dogs of Nevada case.

Donations for Beau’s care are being accepted at retrieverrescuelv.com.