Reba, dog found sealed in tub in triple-digit heat, will need round-the-clock care

LAS VEGAS ( KLAS ) — Reba, the English Bulldog found inside a sealed plastic tub in 110-degree heat, will most likely have round-the-clock care for at least another week, officials said Friday.

A local rescue group is asking for the community’s help after a dog was found inside a plastic tub near a dumpster in the Las Vegas heat.

Officials say the English Bulldog, named after country music megastar Reba McEntire, has the will to survive after living through the unimaginable.

“She has fought and fought and fought,” Megan Tomlinson, Volunteer Rescue Coordinator for Vegas Pet Rescue Project, said.

Reba was discovered Thursday evening near Maryland Parkway and Flamingo Road, taped up in a tote bag that was inside a plastic tub next to a dumpster.

“A couple of folks were going through the parking lot,” Tomlinson explained. “They heard the whimpering of a dog.”

Tomlinson said those people got her out and took her inside a nearby automotive parts shop. Employees rinsed her down with cool water, tried to regulate her body, and then took her to the Veterinary Emergency Group in Henderson for care.

Tomlinson said Vegas Pet Rescue Project, a nonprofit animal rescue, stepped up to help, adding that to see any dog in such a horrible state is difficult. Officials say they are amazed by how far Reba has come in such a short time.

Emergency veterinarian and Interim Medical Director at Veterinary Emergency Group, Dr. Keith Mihansky, said when Reba got to his team on Thursday, she needed IV fluids, oxygen, plasma infusions, and minute-by-minute care just to stay alive.

“Unfortunately, when Reba came to us,” Dr. Mihansky said. “She was in a really critical state.”

He said Reba was severely dehydrated and suffering from heat stroke, which is especially dangerous for English Bulldogs, who have shorter noses and flat faces with narrow, twisted airways.

“The breeds are extremely susceptible to heat-associated injuries,” he explained. “Because of how hard they work just breathing on a normal day.”

Dr. Mihansky also spoke on the heartbreaking experience of treating an animal that has been abused to this extent.

“It’s one of the most difficult things that we deal with,” he said. “Having to see that people treat these innocent animals in such a terrible way sometimes.”

While Reba was doing better on Friday, she is not out of the woods yet, with costs for her care already surpassing $8,000.

“It’s an extreme amount of money,” Tomlinson said.

She told 8newsnow.com that Reba will most likely have to continue around-the-clock observation at the Veterinary Emergency Group for at least another week. As such, Vegas Pet Rescue Project is asking the community for help with donations.

The non-profit organization is also working with the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department to track down who is responsible for this animal cruelty.

“Please call in if you saw even anything,” Tomlinson said. “Even the smallest detail might help us find who did this.”

A spokesperson from LVMPD said the case is being investigated as the torture, abandonment, or starving of an animal. Her rescuers want justice for Reba, a dog that they say never deserved anything other than kindness.

“We just love her,” Tomlinson said. “We love her already.”

For those who are interested in helping to fund Reba’s care, a donation page is available on the Vegas Pet Rescue Project website . Anyone with information on what might have happened to Reba is asked to contact the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department at (702) 828-3111.

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