LAS VEGAS (KLAS) — Two people are facing charges for allegedly hoarding dozens of live and deceased animals in and outside Las Vegas, according to NewsNation affiliate KLAS.
A 72-year-old woman and a 79-year-old man each face 11 counts of animal abuse involving deceased guinea pigs, according to documents KLAS obtained. The charges allege both suspects of “knowing and willingly” placing 11 “animals in poor condition” in Boulder City, resulting in the guinea pigs’ deaths.
Boulder City officers stopped the couple for a broken taillight after receiving a tip Friday, they said.
“When the occupants rolled down a window, officers could smell dead animals inside the car,” officers said in a news release. In all, police and animal control officers found 51 guinea pigs and rabbits, including 11 that were deceased.
“Our officers knew right away that something was wrong,” Lt. Thomas Healing explained. “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.”
In Las Vegas, police found 30 dogs, 10 deceased, in a hotel room, Healing said. A search of a nearby home also found 15 dogs and more guinea pigs.
Officers booked both into the Henderson Detention Center.
Las Vegas Metro police were investigating an animal complaint at a property in the West Valley, which may involve the suspects, sources said. A Metro spokesperson had declined to comment on that investigation.
Records show police were called to an animal complaint around 7:30 p.m. Friday. No criminal charges were filed in that case as of Tuesday.