Sign: Justice for Rita, Cat Stolen From Neighbor and Drowned in Man’s Garage

Published: May 04, 2026 at 09:18 PM Author: Lead Investigative Writer

Las Vegas, Nevada – On April 12, a cat named Rita lost her life in a shocking and cruel manner inside a townhouse garage in Las Vegas. According to the authorities, Joshua Booth drowned his neighbor’s cat in a tub of water in his garage and then threw her body onto the street.

Below is the full account of this disturbing incident:

Rita’s owner contacted authorities after she was unable to find her cats and reported that her neighbor had threatened to kill them. According to police, Booth used a garden hose to fill a tub in his garage, drowned Rita, and then threw her body onto the street. A second cat, wet, terrified, but still alive, was found in Booth’s garage when officers executed a search warrant at his residence near Pecos Road and Harmon Avenue.

Booth denies wrongdoing, claiming he killed the cat in “self-defense” and bizarrely asserting that Rita “spontaneously drowned.” Officers noted scratches on Booth’s arms, stating they may have been caused by the cat fighting for her life as he held her underwater.

Illustrative Image (not actually Rita)

Why This Petition Matters

Joshua Booth must be held fully accountable for taking his neighbor’s cats and cruelly drowning one of them in a tub of water and attempting to drown another. We demand that he face the maximum penalty allowed by law for the charges stemming from this incident. We further demand that he be prohibited from owning or living with animals in the future.

1. Willfully or maliciously torturing, maiming, or mutilating an animal kept for companionship or pleasure, causing death.
2. Willfully or maliciously torturing, maiming, or mutilating an animal kept for companionship or pleasure.

KLAS

News Nation

CASE UPDATES

UPDATE — 9/24/2026

• Rita’s case has been bound over to the 8th Judicial District Court, a higher court than Justice Court in Reno.
• New Case No.: C-26-402552-1
• Initial arraignment: October 5, 2026 at 9:15 a.m.
• Judge: Jasmin Lilly-Spells

Update 9/23/2026: What happened in August and today: Joshua Booth Court Record Summary

On August 12, 2026, there was a court hearing labeled “Negotiations.”

• A plea agreement
• A reduced charge
• Whether the case could be resolved without a full preliminary hearing
• Scheduling and evidence issues

1. Bind the case over to District Court, meaning the felony case moves forward toward trial or a later plea.
2. Reduce or dismiss a charge if the evidence is insufficient.
3. Accept a negotiated plea agreement, if one was reached.
4. Continue or reschedule the hearing again.

Update: Defendant Joshua Booth, Case #26-CR-037355. There is a preliminary hearing scheduled for 09/23/2026 at 9:30 a.m. before Judge Diana L. Sullivan.

Update: No update as of 08/12/2026.

Update: Defendant Joshua Booth, Case #26-CR-037355.  Next scheduled hearing is a “negotiations” hearing scheduled for 08/12/2026 at 8:00 a.m. before Judge Diana L. Sullivan.

This usually means:

• The defense attorney and prosecutor are discussing the case, including:
  • Whether charges should be reduced or dismissed.
  • Whether the defendant will plead guilty or no contest to a lesser offense.
  • Recommended sentencing if there is a plea agreement.
  • Other conditions that could resolve the case without going to trial.

Update: Booth posted an $8,000 bond on April 13, 2026, and remains out of custody. The preliminary hearing that had been scheduled for June 23, 2026, was vacated. Booth’s next court appearance is now scheduled for July 21, 2026. We will continue to monitor this case and provide updates as they become available.

It is also worth noting that Joshua Booth was formerly employed as a nurse. His license may already be expired or lapsed, news reports describe him as a former nurse, however, as of this update, the Nevada State Board of Nursing has not posted any public discipline or revocation action against him. Should he be convicted under Reba’s Law, the Board would likely be notified and could move to revoke any remaining nursing license.

Update: Based on reports from authorities, details may change. All suspects are presumed innocent until proven guilty. Images may be illustrative.

• May 14, 2026 — The Clark County District Attorney’s Office officially files a felony criminal charge against Joshua Booth. He is charged with one felony count of willfully or maliciously torturing, maiming, or mutilating an animal kept for companionship or pleasure resulting in death, under Nevada’s Reba’s Law.: Confirmed by a Clark County DA official press release.
• Booth’s attorney of record is Andrew S.T. Fitz, a Las Vegas defense attorney. A representative for Fitz declined to comment.
• Booth was originally booked into the Clark County Detention Center on April 13 and released on bond.
• Next court date: June 23, 2026 — Las Vegas Justice Court records show Booth is scheduled to appear in court on June 23

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Update 5/5/2026: Case number 26-CR-037355 has been provided by LVMPD. The District Attorney’s Office is currently reviewing the case.