Las Vegas, NV (KXNT) – Working on a tip, the Boulder City Police Department pulled over a car on Nevada Way last week and discovered a severe case of animal hoarding.
According to the BCPD, on Friday, March 29th, officers pulled the car over for a broken taillight. When the occupants rolled the car windows down, police smelled dead animals inside.
Boulder City Police and Boulder City Animal Control Officers searched the car and found a total 51 guinea pigs and rabbits - 11 guinea pigs dead - inside a variety of plastic totes and luggage (four additional guinea pigs have since died). Boulder City Police and Animal Control took the animals from the scene.
“Our officers knew right away that something was wrong,” said Lt. Thomas Healing of the Boulder City Police Department. “The female suspect was concerned about other animals that they said were at their home and a hotel in Las Vegas, and immediately notified Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department.”
Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department got search warrants and found 30 dogs (10 already deceased) inside a hotel room. The search warrant on their house found 15 dogs and more guinea pigs.
The couple, both in their 70s, face eleven counts each of “torture, injure, abandon, or starve an animal." Because it is their first offense, they are charged with misdemeanors. Additional cases in Las Vegas could include felony charges.