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

Published: May 04, 2026 at 09:18 PM Author: Animal Welfare Investigative Writer & Petition Author

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.

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UPDATE  June 28, 2026: 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 5/16/2026: 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.