LAS VEGAS (KTNV) — The couple recently sentenced for animal abuse and hoarding in Boulder City are now facing additional charges in the city of Las Vegas.
Timothy Miller, 79, and Carolyn Luke, 73, are facing 14 felony charges each of willful/malicious torture/maiming/killing animals.
NEW: Suspected animal hoarders Carolyn Luke and Timothy Miller are now facing felony animal abuse charges in Las Vegas.
— Jaewon Jung (@jaewonnews) April 25, 2024
They are currently at CCDC.@KTNV pic.twitter.com/bahVx7mF2H
During their first hearing in Las Vegas Justice Court Thursday, Luke and Miller appeared before Judge Rebecca Saxe.
Judge Saxe ordered the couple to be released from custody on their own recognizance or without having to post bond. They have been ordered to stay out of trouble and they are barred from possessing any animals while awaiting trial.
Former Clark County District Attorney David Roger said the couple will now have to serve their house arrest sentence in Boulder City.
"They will be fired with an ankle bracelet and they'll have to serve their house arrest," Roger said.
The two were recently sentenced in a Boulder City court to house arrest for two-and-a-half years. That's after they pleaded no contest.
WATCH: Hundreds of animals seized during Boulder City traffic stop
The charges from Boulder City stemmed from a traffic stop last month. Police said officers saw the car had a broken taillight and stopped the couple. When the couple rolled down their window, officers said they saw several chunks of fur in the center console of the vehicle and smelled animal feces.
Police and animal control officers searched the car and found a total of 51 guinea pigs and rabbits inside a variety of plastic totes and duffel bags. Eleven guinea pigs were originally found dead and four additional guinea pigs have since died.
Boulder City Police and animal control took the animals from that initial scene. Shortly after, Luke told police there were more animals stored away at her home in Spring Valley and inside of a hotel room in Summerlin.
Las Vegas Metro Police obtained search warrants and found one dead guinea pig and 12 dead dogs. Of the live animals, officers found 38 guinea pigs, 21 dogs, two hamsters, and one rabbit. The search warrant on their house led to officers finding 26 live animals, which included three dogs, two rabbits, six birds, nine hamsters, and six tortoises, as well as 42 dead animals, including 30 guinea pigs, four hamsters, four tortoises, and four dogs.
WATCH: Carolyn Luke speaks out in court, claims she loved all of the animals
Their next court hearing is Aug. 22.
