Man left his horse dead in front of east Las Vegas house, police say

A man arrested for allegedly dragging his horse to its death with his pickup truck in Las Vegas last month told police he did so to walk the animal, according to his arrest report.

Guadalupe Camarillo Guarneros, 62, turned himself in to the Metropolitan Police Department on Friday. He faces one felony charge of willful or malicious torture, maiming or killing of a dog, cat or animal, online Las Vegas Justice Court records show.

The brown male horse named Pinto, estimated to be 8- to 10-years-old, was found dead in front of a residence in the east Las Vegas Valley on June 25, the report said. It added that Pinto was disposed of the next day by a waste management company before investigators could determine his cause or manner of death.

Police previously said a video that circulated on social media depicted a white pickup truck pulling a dark-colored horse with white markings. Detectives used a photograph of the truck and surveillance footage to determine Camarillo Guarneros owned the vehicle, according to the report.

The report said police located Camarillo Guarneros on Friday after receiving a call from his son, who said he and his father were at Metro’s headquarters so Camarillo Guarneros could turn himself in.

Camarillo Guarneros told detectives he typically walked Pinto twice per week by placing a lasso around his neck and attaching the lasso to his truck before driving around the block at a slow speed. He said he did not physically walk Pinto due to the heat and his health issues, which include the need for dialysis, according to the report.

The report said Camarillo Guarneros saw Pinto was resistant to walking on June 25 and noticed the horse pull his head against the lasso.

Pinto collapsed during the walk, and Camarillo Guarneros said he tried, unsuccessfully, to revive his horse, police said.

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

Camarillo Guarneros added that he was unaware of any recent health concerns for Pinto, the report said.

“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,” the report said.

It added: “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.”

When police searched Camarillo Guarneros’ property, the report said they determined that Pinto’s living situation was “not suitable.” Authorities found an additional 20 chickens, six pigs and four piglets on the property, all of which will undergo medical evaluations, according to the report.

Camarillo Guarneros’ next court date is scheduled for Aug. 3, according to online court records. He posted $5,000 bond on Friday.