Las Vegas police search for answers after dog found sealed in bin by dumpster dies

LAS VEGAS (KSNV) — Police in Las Vegas seek the community’s help to find who taped shut an English Bulldog in a plastic bin by a dumpster in triple-digit temperatures.

The dog named Reba was found on Thursday, July 25, between 8-9 p.m. by some people who brought her into the nearby AutoZone by Maryland and Twain, according to AutoZone employee Victor Ruiz. He tried to cool the dog down by spraying water on her until a volunteer with Paws Patrol picked her up and drove her to the Veterinary Emergency Group in Henderson. Despite the critical care received, Reba died on Saturday from a sudden cardiac arrest because of the heat stroke she suffered while in the tote, according to a social media post by the nonprofit Vegas Pet Rescue Project.

“It’s been an emotional roller coaster, I’m not gonna lie,” Carlos Herrera, the Paws Patrol volunteer said. “It’s very sad. More than anything, it’s just insane that you know, such a thing could happen. You know, such a cruel act can be committed.”

Herrera responded to an online post asking for help after Reba was found. He drove her to VEG and then returned to the AutoZone to film the bin next to the dumpster as well as call Las Vegas Metropolitan Police who responded around 12:50 a.m.

“I recorded it,” Herrera said. “I saw the tape. I opened it, and you can see there was evidence that she was there. So, I called for help. I called Metro to see if they could come out.”

Hererra said he worked with the Vegas Pet Rescue Project to help Reba receive care. The nonprofit organization is paying for Reba’s veterinary bills, which are roughly $16,000, according to Megan Tomlinson, a rescue coordinator with Vegas Pet Rescue Project.

Tomlinson said a $21,500 reward is being offered for information that can lead to an arrest.

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“So the reward money has come from quite a few anonymous donors; they have specifically earmarked it for that,” Tomlinson said. “So that money is being held in a pot. I’m not even sure if we’ve collected it yet. But it’s being held there on the promise that they’re going to donate that to whoever helps us to solve this case.”

Tomlinson said investigators have received a few leads.

“They’re also reviewing all of the video footage from in and around that area,” Tomlinson said. “And we’re also being told that, that is going well, as well.”

LVMPD said the investigation is being led by the department’s Animal Cruelty Detail in conjunction with the Clark County Animal Protection Services, as well as community partners. The LVMPD’s Animal Cruelty Detail conducts investigations into the abuse and mistreatment of animals.

“I’m being told that they’re pursuing it as felony animal abuse,” Tomlinson said. “So, if we find someone, which I’m very, very optimistic, that the valley’s going to come together, and we’re going to find who did this, then this person is going to be prosecuted to the full extent of the law.”

Anyone with information can contact the LVMPD Animal Cruelty Detail at (702) 828-2907 or, to remain anonymous, contact Crime Stoppers at (702) 385-5555.