El Paso County deputies say they walked into a grim scene at a rural property in unincorporated El Paso County, where multiple dead and severely emaciated horses were found, and an aggravated animal-cruelty investigation is now underway. The property owner, identified by deputies as 52-year-old Robert Wilson, was arrested and booked May 13 on three counts of aggravated cruelty to animals, along with additional cruelty charges. He is being held on a $10,000 bond. Two surviving horses were taken to a local veterinary clinic; one was later euthanized, and the other remains in critical condition.
According to the El Paso County Sheriff’s Office, patrol deputies first responded on April 8 to the 12500 block of South Lauppe Road after a passerby reported seeing a dead horse from the roadway and other horses that appeared to have no access to food or water. The sheriff’s specialized patrol unit later took over the case, and deputies say they gave water to the surviving animals during that initial visit.
The sheriff’s post says deputies returned on April 9 with a veterinarian, a brand inspector, and support from a local horse-rescue group. A drone flight over the property that day revealed a second deceased horse. One horse had to be humanely euthanized because of the extent of its condition, and, according to the post, “the other horse remains in critical care with signs of advanced malnourishment.” Investigators say three deceased horses will undergo necropsies to determine how they died, and that Wilson was arrested on May 13 as the investigation advanced.
Investigation Details
Deputies say they not only provided water during the first response but also later worked with veterinary staff and a local rescue organization to stabilize the surviving horses and remove them for treatment. The presence of a brand inspector signals that investigators are also digging into livestock records and ownership history as part of the case. The investigation remains active while necropsy results and veterinary reports are reviewed by the sheriff’s office and the District Attorney's Office.
A Wider Pattern in El Paso County
Earlier this spring, separate investigations at other properties in El Paso County also turned up emaciated or dead horses, and authorities in the region have increasingly teamed up with humane groups on larger animal-seizure operations. Denver7 has documented previous seizures that resulted in criminal warrants and coordinated actions with local rescues.
Legal Stakes
Under Colorado law, aggravated cruelty to animals is a felony when a person knowingly tortures, needlessly mutilates, or kills an animal, and prosecutors can bring separate counts for each affected animal. C.R.S. 18-9-202 spells out the statute and possible penalties. Investigators say necropsy findings and veterinary evaluations will help determine what charges prosecutors ultimately pursue. A conviction can carry substantial fines and prison time, depending on the severity of the charges and any prior record.
The sheriff’s office has asked anyone with information about the case to contact investigators through its public post and says it is continuing to collect evidence. Court filings and charging decisions will be tracked as the case proceeds through the judicial system.
