John is a Las Vegas native and lifelong animal lover. He created Nevada Animal Advocates in the Spring of 2025, while he was working with Assemblywoman Melissa Hardy (R) on getting Reba's Law passed and signed into law. His rescue dog isn’t just a pet: she is family and absolute royalty, and she knows it. From throwing birthday parties complete with doggie cake and ice cream to sharing his bed (even when she takes up most of it). John’s devotion to her runs deep. His love for animals is personal, passionate, and at the heart of everything he and Nevada Animal Advocates stands for. ​ John recently launched a state-wide animal abuse registry since Nevada state leaders refuse to do so! It is his hopes that by providing this registry to the public, they will become more aware of the monsters that live among us; continuing to harm our fur babies. John founded Nevada Animal Advocates, a non-profit animal rights organization based in Las Vegas in the spring of 2025. Our dedication to being a relentless voice for the voiceless be our driving force. In a state that ranks 31st in the nation for animal protection laws, our mission is crystal clear; to drive meaningful legislative change and demand accountability for those who harm, neglect, or kill animals. We are not just a cause; we are a movement for justice.

At Nevada Animal Advocates, we campaign for stronger legal protections and harsher penalties against animal cruelty. Our team works tirelessly to bring awareness to the gaps in Nevada’s legal system and mobilize support for real reform. We recently championed Reba’s Law (AB381), a bill aimed at enhancing penalties for animal abuse, especially for acts as heinous as what happened to Reba, a bulldog whose tragic death galvanized our efforts.

The Nevada Animal Abuse Registry aims to publicly track individuals convicted of animal cruelty offenses, potentially restricting their access to animals and increasing scrutiny to prevent future abuse. This registry is not run by any government or law enforcement agency, rather a group of animal lovers, doing everything we can to protect our fur-babies. This registry can serve multiple purposes, including raising public awareness, aiding adoption agencies in screening potential owners, and protecting both animals and people. Key Functions of an Nevada Animal Abuse Registry: Tracking Offenders: Registries compile and maintain information on individuals convicted of animal abuse, cruelty or any animal related offense, often including details like name, address, and any restrictions on animal ownership. Public Awareness: Registries aim to inform the public about individuals with past animal cruelty convictions, allowing people to make informed decisions, especially when interacting with or adopting animals. Restrictions on Animal Ownership: Some registries impose restrictions on individuals listed, preventing them from owning, possessing, or having custody of animals. Increased Scrutiny: Registries can facilitate increased scrutiny of individuals with past convictions, potentially preventing them from re-offending. Potential for Public Safety: By tracking offenders and potentially limiting their access to animals, registries can contribute to community safety, as animal abuse is sometimes linked to violence towards humans.

Report it: Contact your local animal control agency, animal shelter, or law enforcement. Document the incident: Take detailed notes, photos, or videos if safe to do so. Provide information: Share the location, time, and details of the incident with authorities. Follow up: Check in with the authorities to see what actions are being taken.

Over 110 million animals are killed in U.S. laboratories each year. Roughly 85% of people arrested for animal abuse or cruelty have had multiple past arrests, with 70% having prior felonies. Around 70% of people who committed domestic violence were also found to be animal abusers.

Yes, all 50 U.S. states and the District of Columbia have felony provisions in their animal cruelty laws. This means that acts like killing, injuring, torturing, neglecting, overworking, or abandoning animals can be classified as felonies, depending on the specific circumstances and state laws. While each state has its own set of laws defining animal cruelty and the corresponding penalties, the general trend is towards strengthening these laws and increasing the severity of punishments for serious offenses. Many states now classify severe or repeated animal abuse as a felony, and some have specific laws targeting certain types of abuse, like leaving animals in hot cars. The federal government also plays a role in animal protection through the PACT Act, which establishes animal crushing as a federal crime. Therefore, it's accurate to say that animal abuse can be classified as a felony in all states, although the specific details of the laws vary from state to state.

Animal hoarding is characterized by possessing a large number of animals while failing to provide adequate care and sanitation, often resulting in suffering for the animals and deterioration of the living environment. It's a complex issue rooted in a mental health condition where the individual is unable to recognize the detrimental impact of their actions on the animals and their own living space. Here's a more detailed breakdown: Key Characteristics of Animal Hoarding: Excessive Number of Animals: Hoarders possess significantly more animals than is typical, often without knowing the exact number. Inadequate Care: This includes a failure to provide basic needs like sufficient food, clean living spaces, shelter, and veterinary care. Neglect and Suffering: Animals may suffer from untreated illnesses, injuries, starvation, and even death due to the lack of proper care. Environmental Degradation: The living space deteriorates due to the accumulation of animals, with unsanitary conditions like urine, feces, and strong odors. Denial and Minimization: Hoarders often deny or minimize the problems associated with their situation and the impact on the animals and themselves. Mental Blind Spots: They may lack awareness of the detrimental effects of their actions on the animals, their home environment, and even themselves. Examples of Actions that Indicate Animal Hoarding: Failing to provide adequate food, water, and clean living spaces: Animals may be visibly emaciated, dehydrated, or living in filth. Ignoring signs of illness or injury: Untreated health issues can lead to serious complications and even death. Allowing animals to breed uncontrollably: Overpopulation can exacerbate the problems of inadequate care and resources. Denying the severity of the situation: Despite clear evidence of neglect, hoarders may insist that the animals are healthy and happy. Refusing help or intervention: Hoarders may resist attempts to improve the situation or remove animals from their care. Distinguishing Animal Hoarding from Responsible Pet Ownership: While having multiple pets can be a fulfilling experience for some, animal hoarding is characterized by the inability to provide adequate care for a large number of animals. It's the neglect and suffering of the animals, combined with the denial of the situation, that distinguishes hoarding from simply owning many pets. In essence, animal hoarding is a complex mental health issue that results in the suffering of animals and the deterioration of their living environment due to the hoarder's inability to provide adequate care and recognize the negative consequences of their actions.

Whether keeping a dog in a cage constitutes animal abuse is a complex issue with varying opinions, but generally, long-term confinement in a crate is considered detrimental to a dog's well-being. While crates can be useful tools for house training and providing a safe space, excessive or prolonged crating can lead to physical and psychological harm. Here's a breakdown: Arguments against prolonged crating: Psychological Distress: Dogs are social animals and confinement can lead to loneliness, anxiety, and depression. Behavioral Issues: Boredom from lack of stimulation can cause excessive barking, chewing, and other destructive behaviors. Physical Harm: Long-term confinement can lead to muscle atrophy, obesity, and potential injury from trying to escape. Lack of Exercise: Dogs need regular exercise to stay healthy, which is difficult to provide when confined. Unnatural Confinement: Dogs are not meant to live in cages, and prolonged confinement can negatively impact their quality of life. Arguments for using crates: House Training Aid: Crates can be helpful for house training, as dogs naturally avoid soiling their sleeping area. Safe Space: Crates can provide a secure and familiar space for dogs, especially during stressful situations like travel or thunderstorms. Temporary Confinement: Short periods of crating can be acceptable for training or when a dog needs to be confined for a short time. Key Considerations: Size of the Crate: The crate should be large enough for the dog to stand, turn around, and lie down comfortably. Duration of Confinement: Crates should not be used as a substitute for proper exercise, socialization, and attention. Individual Dog's Needs: Some dogs may be more prone to anxiety or behavioral issues related to crating than others. Alternative Housing: If prolonged crating is necessary, consider providing a larger, enriched space for the dog. In conclusion, while crates can be a useful tool, excessive crating can be harmful to a dog's well-being. It is important to consider the dog's individual needs and provide alternative forms of housing and enrichment if necessary.

"Reba's Law," officially Assembly Bill 381, is a Nevada law that strengthens penalties for animal cruelty, particularly in cases of intentional harm or death.It was named in memory of Reba, a bulldog who died from heatstroke after being left in a sealed plastic container.The law increases the maximum prison sentence for animal abuse from four to six years and raises the maximum fine from $5,000 to $10,000.It also provides legal protection for individuals who break into vehicles to rescue animals in danger.

Increased Penalties: The law raises the maximum prison sentence for intentional cruelty or harm to an animal from four to six years. Higher Fines: The maximum fine for animal cruelty offenses has been increased from $5,000 to $10,000. Felony Charge for Death of an Animal: The act of intentionally killing an animal is now classified as a category B felony. Protection for Rescuers: "Reba's Law" includes a provision allowing individuals to break into vehicles to rescue animals in imminent danger, provided they stay with the animal and the vehicle until authorities arrive. Application to Police Dogs: The law extends protections to police dogs, meaning that those who intentionally harm or kill a police K-9 will face felony charges and restitution for veterinary costs. Deterrent Effect: The law is intended to deter animal abuse by increasing the consequences for those who commit such acts and sends a clear message that animal cruelty will not be tolerated in Nevada.

Reba's Law, officially known as Assembly Bill 381, in Nevada provides legal protection to individuals who break into vehicles to rescue pets in distress, provided certain conditions are met. This law was enacted in response to the death of Reba, an English bulldog who died after being left in a sealed container in the heat. The law expands on existing protections for animal rescues from vehicles, offering both civil and criminal immunity to those who act within its guidelines. Rescuing an animal from a Vehicle:Here's a breakdown of Reba's Law and how it applies to rescuing pets from vehicles:Key Provisions of Reba's Law: Protection for Good Samaritans: The law shields individuals from both civil and criminal liability when they break into a locked vehicle to rescue a pet in danger. Conditions for Immunity: To qualify for this protection, individuals must meet specific criteria: Reasonable Belief of Danger: They must reasonably believe the animal is in imminent danger, such as from heatstroke or cold. Notification of Authorities: They must first contact law enforcement or animal control before taking action. Verification of Vehicle Security: They must verify that the vehicle is locked or that there is no other reasonable way to remove the animal. Cooperation with Authorities: They must remain with the animal until authorities arrive and cooperate with their investigation. Increased Penalties for Animal Cruelty: The law also increases penalties for animal cruelty, potentially including jail time for offenses causing serious harm or death to an animal. ​ How to Act Under Reba's Law: Assess the Situation: If you see a pet in a vehicle that appears to be in distress (e.g., panting heavily in a hot car), carefully evaluate the situation. Call for Help: Immediately contact 911, animal control, or the local police department. Document the Scene: If possible, take photos or videos of the vehicle, the animal, and the surrounding environment. Wait for Assistance:Unless the animal's condition is critical and immediate action is necessary, wait for authorities to arrive before taking any action. If Necessary, Rescue the Pet: If the animal's condition is dire and waiting is not an option, take the necessary steps to remove the animal from the vehicle, but only after making every attempt to contact authorities. Cooperate with Authorities: Once law enforcement or animal control arrives, provide them with all relevant information about the situation. Important Considerations: "Reasonable Force": Use only the amount of force necessary to enter the vehicle and rescue the animal. Stay with the Animal: Remain with the animal until authorities arrive to ensure its safety and provide any necessary information about the situation. Document Everything: Keep detailed records of your actions, including the time you called for help and any communication with authorities. Consult with Legal Professionals: If you have any legal questions about your specific situation, consult with an attorney.