Police investigate after dog found dead in crate near Las Vegas dumpster

The Metropolitan Police Department is investigating after a dog was found dead in a crate near a dumpster Friday morning in the east Las Vegas Valley.

According to police, authorities responded at 6:20 a.m. to a report of a dog found dead near the 100 block of North 27th Street.

Clark County Animal Protection Services is assisting with the investigation, police said.

In a media briefing, police said it appeared that the dog was already dead when the animal was placed at the scene.

“The decomposition was such that we do not believe the dog died at the scene,” Metro Lt. Monique Bulmer said.

Police noted that they do not currently know the cause of death for the animal, and a necropsy will be conducted. Bulmer refused to name the dog’s breed.

“It’s possible that the dog was killed and then dumped here, or it could actually be a non-criminal case in which someone just inappropriately discarded the animal,” Bulmer said.

Metro is treating the incident as a potential animal cruelty case, Bulmer said.

Standing outside the crate where the dead dog was found, Bulmer said Reba’s Law is “definitely progress” when it comes to addressing animal cruelty. The law was recently signed by Gov. Joe Lombardo and increases penalties for abuse resulting in animal deaths.

“I think that with the improved punishments, people will start taking this more seriously and think twice before they hurt their animals,” Bulmer said.

Contact Finnegan Belleau at fbelleau@reviewjournal.com.