LAS VEGAS (KTNV) — A judge has set bail at $50,000 for a man who was arrested after six dogs were found dead in a U-Haul on Tuesday night. The judge also ordered him to not have contact with any animals.
Las Vegas police were called after someone spotted an "unattended animal in distress" inside a vehicle in the 3100 block of North Tenaya Way, near Cheyenne Avenue.
Investigators spoke with a security officer from Mountain View Hospital who told officers the vehicle had only been there for about 30 minutes before officers arrived. According to an arrest report, police asked for video footage of the vehicle parking and the person who exited the vehicle.
The arrest report states the vehicle was not on at the time and windows had been cracked about four inches. When animal control officers used a temperature probe inside the cabin of the vehicle, it showed the temperature was 125 degrees.
Officers said the doors were locked and they saw a small Australian Sheperd in distress so they punched out the passenger window in order to retrieve the dog.
According to the report, officers decided to check the back of the U-Haul since someone could be inside and they suspected someone was living in it "based on the junk and trash and items in the cabin."
When investigators opened the back of the U-Haul, they found six dead dogs.
While officers were on the scene, the report states a man, later identified as Christopher Robin Winter, walked up to them pointing at the U-Haul in "disbelief." When they asked him if was his vehicle, he said yes and he was detained.
When he realized the dogs were dead, the report states Winter "became erratic and resistant" and that he repeatedly said he was "only inside for a short time."
The report states officers told him the dogs in the back were unsecured, "probably bouncing around", and they "look like they had been dead for a long time."
Police state they recognized that Winter had keys to a second vehicle, a Ford Escape. Officers found six dogs that were "distressed but alive". The Animal Foundation said three cats were also recovered. Animal Control used a temperature gauge inside the Ford Escape and said even with the air conditioning on, it was 114 degrees.
The report states Animal Control thought there was a possibility that several animals were also at Winter's home in North Las Vegas and notified police who conducted a welfare check at the home.
During an interview with detectives, the report states Winter told officers he was in the process of being evicted because he could no longer pay rent, which is why he rented the U-Haul. A woman he was living with followed him in the Escape and the pair went to Mountain View Hospital, where she had an appointment.
“As indicated by the state, it’s true he doesn’t have a verifiable residence at this time," said the public defender who represented Winter during his initial hearing. "In fact, he informed me that he was just recently evicted.”
Winter also told police that after he dropped her off, he left to buy water and ice for all the animals since it was hot outside. He said when he came back, the police were there. He said he understood it was hot and that "he made a mistake and his mistake costed his dogs lives."
Winter is facing six counts of torturing animals and one drug charge. The report states that during a pat-down, officers found methamphetamine in Winter's pocket.
The report states that Winter has previously been in trouble for having too many animals. In 2019, North Las Vegas Animal Protection Services responded to his home in North Las Vegas and he was given a warning for having too many dogs inside his home.
“Per the declaration of arrest, defendant had been previously admonished by North Las Vegas officials that he had too many animals and the defendant agreed with that, yet here we are with the instance case," the Clark County prosecutor told the judge Wednesday.
The public defender assigned to Winter for his initial appearance told the judge that Winter has no criminal record and is listed as low risk.
His next hearing is set for June 17.
As for the living animals, they were taken to The Animal Foundation where they are still being evaluated as they go through the shelter process. That means that have gotten their intake shots, food, water, and bedding.
A representative from the Animal Foundation tells Channel 13 there are some minor medical concerns and matting.
The animals will be placed on a hold while the investigation continues.
