Police find 30 dogs in Las Vegas hotel room; 2 accused of hoarding animals
LAS VEGAS (KLAS) — Two people face charges involving the hoarding of dozens of live and deceased animals in and outside Las Vegas, the 8 News Now Investigators have learned.
Carolyn Luke, 72; and Timothy Miller, 79, each face 11 counts of animal abuse involving deceased guinea pigs, according to documents the 8 News Now Investigators obtained.
The charges allege Luke and Miller of “knowing and willingly” placing 11 “animals in poor condition” in Boulder City, resulting in the guinea pigs’ deaths.
Boulder City officers stopped the couple for a broken taillight after receiving a tip Friday, they said.
“When the occupants rolled down a window, officers could smell dead animals inside the car,” officers said in a news release. In all, police and animal control officers found 51 guinea pigs and rabbits, including the 11 deceased animals.
“Our officers knew right away that something was wrong,” Lt. Thomas Healing said. “The female suspect was concerned about other animals that they said were at their home and a hotel in Las Vegas, and immediately notified Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department.”
In Las Vegas, police found 30 dogs, 10 deceased, in a hotel room, Healing said. A search of a nearby home also found 15 dogs and more guinea pigs.
Officers booked both into the Henderson Detention Center.
Officials in Henderson declined to release the couple’s booking photos, citing Boulder City’s investigation.
Las Vegas Metro police were investigating an animal complaint at a property in the west valley, which may involve Luke and Miller, sources said. A Metro spokesperson had declined to comment on that investigation.
Records show police were called to an animal complaint on Sahara Avenue near Fort Apache Road around 7:30 p.m. Friday. No criminal charges were filed in that case as of Tuesday.
You can contact 8 News Now Investigator David Charns by email dcharns@8newsnow.com.
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