Two folks arrested in reference to the demise of a bulldog left in a sealed plastic crate this summer season pleaded not responsible to animal abuse costs on Monday.
Isaac Laushaul Jr., 32, and Markeisha Foster, 30, had been each indicted by a grand jury final week, every on one felony cost of cruelty to animals, court docket information present. The 2 had been arrested in December and accused of leaving their pet — a bulldog named Reba — inside a sealed plastic container outdoors an east Las Vegas grocery store in July.
The canine was found after a passerby heard barking coming from the plastic bin and freed the canine, police mentioned. A volunteer with an animal rescue group then took the canine to a neighborhood animal hospital, the place it died of heatstroke.
Each Laushaul and Foster pleaded not responsible Monday throughout an arraignment listening to in entrance of District Decide Ronald Israel.
The canine was named Reba after it was discovered contained in the tote. In response to Laushaul’s arrest report, he had a historical past of leaving the canine, who he known as Nike, outdoors over the summer season with solely a small bowl.
One neighbor informed police that Laushaul “consistently yelled” on the canine for urinating within the condo and would go away the canine tied up outdoors as punishment, in accordance with the report. Neighbors supplied to take the canine however Laushaul didn’t agree to offer her up, police mentioned.
Foster informed police that on July 25, the day earlier than the canine was discovered outdoors the grocery store, the bulldog was left outdoors and have become in poor health. The couple took the canine to an animal hospital, Foster mentioned, however discovered that it was closed, in order that they left the bulldog by the grocery store’s dumpster, in accordance with the report.
If convicted, Laushaul and Foster face a most of 4 years in jail and a $5,000 tremendous.
After prosecutors filed costs towards the couple this month, Clark County District Lawyer Steve Wolfson known as for harsher penalties in animal cruelty instances. Assemblywoman Melissa Hardy, R-Henderson, submitted a invoice draft request this month that may enact harder penalties for animal cruelty if handed.
When the grand jury returned an indictment towards the couple on Friday, District Decide Jerry Wiese ordered Laushaul to proceed to be held in custody with out bail, whereas Foster’s bail will stay at $50,000, court docket information present. They two remained within the Clark County Detention Middle on Monday.
Contact Katelyn Newberg at knewberg@reviewjournal.com or 702-383-0240.
