Arrest made in death of dog found in plastic tote
Las Vegas police said they have arrested a man who was involved in the death of a dog that had been found inside a taped-shut plastic tote in July.
Police arrested Isaac Laushaul Jr., 32, on Saturday, according to a Metropolitan Police Department press release and Las Vegas Justice Court records.
Laushaul Jr. was booked into the Clark County Detention Center on Saturday on a felony charge of willful or malicious torture, maiming or killing of an animal, according to the press release.
The tote in which the abandoned bulldog had been confined was discovered outside a Von’s grocery store on the 1100 block of East Twain Avenue near South Maryland Parkway on July 26.
The dog, who was later given the name Reba, was still alive and whimpering and barking when she was found, police said, but she was in severe breathing distress. Despite efforts to save her life at a local animal hospital, the dog died.
In late July, people donated $25,000 to offer as a reward for information on who might be involved in Reba’s death.
Metro Sgt. William Gethoefer asked the public for assistance in August.
“We need a tip from the community. We need someone to come forward with knowledge of what happened to Reba and let us know where we can direct our attention,” said Gethoefer in a video posted to X.
Another reward for $50,000 was offered, when the largest no-kill shelter in the country, Big Dog Ranch Rescue, and a private donor each donated an additional $25,000.
Contact Annie Vong at avong@reviewjournal.com. Follow @annievwrites on X or @annievong.bsky.social.
