Man turns himself in after LVMPD's investigation of horse's death

LVMPD

Las Vegas police are asking for information to help them locate the owner of a horse found dead in the east valley, and the driver of a white pickup truck seen on video pulling it.

By: Alyssa Roberts

LAS VEGAS (KTNV) — A 62-year-old man turned himself in to police after an investigation into the death of a horse in east Las Vegas.

The Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department says a video posted on social media prompted the animal cruelty investigation, which began on June 27.

"The video appears to show a white single-cab pickup truck pulling a dark-colored horse with white markings," police stated in a Tuesday news release.

Neighbors informed police that the horse was later found dead in front of a residence in the 1300 block of Ringe Lane, near Nellis Boulevard and Washington Avenue.

Guadalupe Camarillo Guameros was identified as the suspect and he turned himself in on July 3. He is charged with willful/malicious torture, maiming, or killing of an animal. He posted a surety bond and is scheduled to be back in court on Aug. 3.

According to an arrest report, Camarillo Guameros was identified as the suspect through cameras in the neighborhood and Flock license plate readers.

The arrest report states that a resident saw the horse, identified as Pinto, dead in front of his property, prompting him to call police and Clark County Animal Protection Services. Another nearby resident placed cones around the horse to prevent it from being hit by a car before it was removed.

In an interview with Camarillo Guameros after he turned himself in, he admitted that Pinto was his horse that he's had for six months, according to investigators.

"He reported the incident with Pinto was an accident, and initially was emotional, beginning to cry when explaining to Detectives the incident," the arrest report states.

Camarillo Guameros told investigators that it was typical for him to walk Pinto by putting a lasso around his neck and attaching it to his truck.

According to the arrest report, Camarillo Guameros does this twice a week, not wanting to physically walk the horse since he has health issues and because of the heat. Investigators said Camarillo Guameros explained "he's not sure of the speed but almost operates the vehicle in neutral."

Camarillo Guameros told detectives that Pinto usually behaved fine during the walks, but on June 25, he was resistant to it. According to the arrest report, Camarillo Guameros saw Pinto pulling his head back against the lasso and felt him pull before he got out of his truck and went to the horse.

Investigators said Camarillo Guameros only made it past approximately eight houses down Ringe Lane before Pinto collapsed.

The arrest report states that Camarillo Guameros exited the truck and tried to revive Pinto but was unsuccessful.

"He reported the incident was an accident, but he had gone into shock and simply left Pinto behind," the arrest report says. "He was not breathing when Guadalupe left him. He expressed remorse for not calling the police or doing something more."

A relative of Camarillo Guarmeros said he "may be scared due to not being a citizen and recently being put on dialysis," the arrest report says.

According to investigators, a cause of death was unable to be determined because Pinto's body had already been buried by Republic Services "and would be near impossible to exhume."

Detectives say they conducted a search of the property where Camarillo Guameros boarded Pinto and found the living conditions not suitable for Pinto. Clark County Animal Protection Services took custody of 20 chickens, six pigs and four piglets from the property, according to the arrest report.

"To be affixed by its neck to a mobile vehicle, forced to trot in significant heat, while very apparently resistant by pulling away from the truck with no means to free itself, subjected the animal to prolonged torment and unjust suffering," investigators said. "While Guadalupe expressed remorse, it is a direct result of his actions and his decisions that forced Pinto to experience suffering that ultimately resulted in his death."