Reward offered in death of Reba, Las Vegas dog left in closed container

A national animal rescue group has partnered with a private donor to double the reward to $50,000 to help find the person who left a Las Vegas dog to die in a taped-shut plastic tub.

The English bulldog, who has been named “Reba,” was found on July 26 in severe breathing distress behind a Von’s grocery store on the 1100 block of East Twain Avenue near South Maryland Parkway.

In a video discussing the case, Metropolitan Police Department Sgt. William Gethoefer said a caller notified police that they had located a bulldog inside a container with a taped-shut lid.

According to police, passersby were walking by the container when they heard a dog whimpering and barking.

“The dog was still alive when it was located,” Gethoefer said in the video.

After removing the tape from the lid and rescuing Reba from the container, police said the individuals brought the animal to a nearby business to try to cool the dog and provide it with water.

We really need your help to find the person responsible for leaving Reba the bulldog in a plastic tote to die.

In this video, Sgt. Gethoefer shares an update on the case and the steps investigators have taken to bring this case to justice.

We urge anyone with any information… pic.twitter.com/UPGv7aAUSu

— LVMPD (@LVMPD) August 8, 2024

Reba was then taken to an animal hospital in Henderson, according to Gethoefer, who said the dog died despite efforts to save her life.

He said the department has searched extensively to find those responsible for the dog’s death. However, despite conducting an “exhaustive and thorough investigation” into the crime, police have made no headway in their search.

“We have canvassed every business and every apartment complex. Anything in that area, we have canvassed it for video,” Gethoefer said. “We have tried to speak to witnesses, anybody that saw or heard anything related to this crime, and we have tried to leave no stone unturned when it comes to solving this crime.”

Hoping for a tip

Police said the department has been unable to find any witnesses or video footage of the dog being dropped off.

As a result, police are imploring the community to step up and help the department solve the crime.

“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,” Gethoefer said.

Lamar Advertising is donating electronic billboards spots at some 40 locations in the valley to bring attention to the case, said Jim Villela, a company account executive.

To help find the individuals responsible for Reba’s death, Big Dog Ranch Rescue said it has teamed with a private donor to offer a $50,000 reward for information.

“People across America know Reba’s name and her story,” said Chase Scott, spokesman for the largest no-kill shelter in the country. “How she was left to die is about as inhumane as you can get. The donor wanted to help as much as she could, so we teamed with them on the $25,000 and they are paying for the private detective.”

The private detective started Wednesday, Scott said.

‘Don’t make them suffer’

Big Dog Ranch Rescue, Scott said, has been called to help in rescues around the world. That includes rescuing dogs being killed for meat in China and setting up shelters on the Ukraine-Poland border when war erupted two years ago.

“We want to catch whoever did this and make an example out of them so it makes people think twice before they deliberately injure an animal,” said Lauree Simmons, the CEO and founder of Big Ranch Rescue. “The whole point is to bring justice for Reba.”

“Animal abuse has gotten out of control. People have just gone crazy,” she said. “If you don’t want your dog, take it to a rescue or a shelter. Don’t make them suffer.”

Anyone with information about the case is urged to contact Metro’s Animal Cruelty Unit at 702-828-2907. An after-hours line is 702-828-3364. Tips also can be sent to Clark County Animal Protection Services at 702-455-7710 or Metro by calling 311. To remain anonymous, contact Crime Stoppers at 702-385-5555.

“I would just like to end the suffering for dogs,” Simmons said. “Just make it better for the dogs and the future of animal care.”

Contact Caitlin Lilly at clilly@reviewjournal.com. Contact Marvin Clemons at mclemons@reviewjournal.com.