Teen Arrested for Allegedly Stabbing Horses at Nevada Barrel Racing Event

A teenage competitor was arrested for allegedly stabbing three horses at a barrel racing event in Nevada. The incident occurred at a barn near the South Point Hotel Casino & Spa on Saturday at approximately 2 a.m., according to the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department (LVMPD). Upon arrival, officers found three horses that had been intentionally injured with a sharp object. The LVMPD Animal Cruelty Section was notified, leading to the identification of the teenage girl as a suspect. Investigators stated that she had access to the barn and may have used a knife to inflict injuries on the horses. Although the injuries were not life-threatening, the horses were unable to compete in the 2026 National Barrel Horse Association (NBHA) Professional's Choice Las Vegas Super Show. The teenager was located at a nearby hotel and taken into custody. She faces 12 counts of willful or malicious killing, maiming, or torturing an animal, as well as three counts of felony malicious destruction of private property valued at over $5,000. Her identity has not been disclosed due to her age. The NBHA confirmed the incident in a statement, indicating it was addressed promptly in coordination with relevant authorities.