A teenager has been arrested after three horses were brutally stabbed during a barrel racing event in Las Vegas over the weekend.
According to the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department, officers responded on Saturday, May 30, after reports that a horse had been attacked inside the equestrian barns at the South Point Hotel, Casino & Spa. The horses were being housed there for the National Barrel Horse Association (NBHA) Supershow.
When police arrived at the scene, they discovered that three horses had suffered injuries caused by “a sharp object,” authorities said in a press release.
Investigators later identified a teenage girl who they believe “may have used a knife to inflict multiple injuries to the horses.”
All three animals survived the violent attack, though their injuries were serious enough to force them out of competition.
The unnamed suspect was later taken into custody at a nearby hotel and transported to Clark County Juvenile Hall. She is currently facing 12 counts of willful or malicious killing, maiming or torturing an animal, along with three felony counts of malicious destruction of private property valued at more than $5,000.
Several media outlets have reported that the suspect was also competing at the NBHA event.
Owners of the injured horses have since spoken publicly about the terrifying incident.
Arielle Phillips, owner of a horse named Detail, shared on social media that she had been caring for her horse when the alleged attacker allegedly began lingering nearby and asking what she described as “weird questions.”
According to Phillips, surveillance footage later captured the individual entering Detail’s stall as well as the stall belonging to another injured horse.
On Sunday, Arielle posted an update on Detail’s condition along with graphic photos showing the horse’s injuries.
Professional barrel racer Hailey Krahenbuhl also revealed that her horse, Sully, had been wounded in the attack.
“Sully was stabbed multiple times,” Krahenbuhl shared, adding that the horse had been stitched up and was recovering.
A third horse named Rocket was reportedly stabbed three times but is expected to fully recover. Rocket’s owner, Keira Weisbart, later emphasized that she did not blame the venue for what happened.
“There was nothing more they could’ve done,” Weisbart wrote in an update.
Following the incident, supporters launched a GoFundMe campaign to help cover veterinary bills and recovery costs for the injured horses.
“These horses are more than just animals,” the fundraiser states. “They are partners, family, and a huge part of their lives.”
“What happened was heartbreaking and completely undeserved, and now they need care, treatment, and support to recover,” the page continued.
As of press time, more than $16,000 had already been raised for Rocket, Detail and Sully.
UDHËTO LIRË.
UDHËTO KOMOD.
Rezervo online shpejt, lehtë dhe pa stres.
