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Prosecutors have dropped charges against one employee, saying they just don’t have enough evidence. Animal advocates aren’t happy. Las Vegas police arrested John and Berube earlier this year following allegations of animal mistreatment at the training and rescue facility.
Video shared by a former employee appeared to show trainer John Johnstone dragging a dog and kicking it.
Police also identified Tabitha Berube, who was accused of witnessing the incident without stepping in.
In court, a judge noted that Johnstone had been deported to Scotland, leading to a bench warrant. ICE confirmed he was deported on May 4. Meanwhile, prosecutors declined to pursue the animal abuse charge against Berube.
The Clark County District Attorney’s Office cited insufficient evidence as the reason for dropping the case against her.
Three out of four animal abuse charges against Johnstone were also dismissed earlier. The facility itself has since shut down, and the dogs were relocated to The Animal Foundation for adoption, transfer, or return to owners.
Nevada doesn’t take animal abuse lightly. If you’re caught, you can end up with fines, jail time, or even the loss of the right to have animals.
But here’s the catch: prosecutors need solid proof to actually win these cases. We’re talking about crystal-clear video, reliable witnesses who tell the same story, and injury reports that leave no doubt. Without that kind of evidence, cases often fall apart, no matter how strongly people feel about what happened.
This happens pretty often. Prosecutors have to convince a jury beyond a reasonable doubt, and that’s tough if the video is fuzzy or people’s stories don’t line up.
It’s a good reminder that the justice system tries to protect animals, but it also relies heavily on due process to ensure everyone gets a fair shot in court.
Animal cruelty cases tend to move fast, and the stakes are high. You’re looking at serious consequences, for instance, your job being messed with.
If you’re caught up in one of these cases, or even just dealing with the fallout, finding a solid attorney right away can change everything.
A good lawyer will dig into the evidence, call out holes in the prosecution’s case, make sure your rights aren’t trampled during the investigation, and fight hard for the best possible result.
If you or someone you know is dealing with animal cruelty charges or any other criminal case in Las Vegas, don’t wait. Talk to a skilled defense attorney right away. A good legal team will dig into the details, lay out your options, and fight for you with a solid defense tailored to your situation.
Since 2015, we’ve stood by clients facing all kinds of criminal charges at LV Criminal Defense.
Our attorneys handle everything from assault to animal abuse with sharp focus and real-world strategies.
If you’re ready to talk, just leave your details on our website. We’ll call you for free, listen to what’s going on, and help you figure out where to go from here.
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