Justice · Exotic animal transportEl Paso exotic animals: 72 found in vehicle, driver arrestedAired October 28, 2026 at 1:50 PM UTCWritten October 28, 2026 at 1:57 PM UTCRead the write-upThis storyTranscript · LOADING0:07Deputies found seventy-two exotic animals in a vehicle during a traffic stop.0:11They say several were crowded into undersized containers with inadequate ventilation0:15and without food or water.0:16The discovery led to a woman's arrest on animal cruelty charges.0:20Where did the animals go after the stop?0:21And did all seventy-two reach appropriate care?0:24Deputies made the stop on Interstate10 East near Mile Marker40,8 in El Paso County,0:29Texas.0:29It happened on October22,2026 at about seven thirty in the evening.0:35The animals were traveling in a black Chrysler.0:37The discovery dates to that October22nd stop, several days before the account began0:41circulating more widely.0:43Deputies' allegations concern the animal's basic needs during the journey.0:46They say several containers were too small and overcrowded.0:49They also described inadequate airflow and a lack of access to food and water.0:53Those conditions are the basis of the welfare concerns.0:56The animal's medical condition would require veterinary assessment, and no case1:00specific medical findings have been made public.1:03The reported inventory lists fifty-six tortoises and eleven hedgehogs.1:07It also lists two guinea pigs and one exotic wild cat.1:10Two more animals bring the total to seventy, two, but their species remains1:14unresolved.1:15Tortoyas account for most of the animals listed.1:17The cat is reportedly a caracle, though officials haven't confirmed that1:21identification.1:22A complete official species inventory hasn't been released.1:25Investigators also allege that Kelly Pinnock transported the animals through1:28multiple states.1:29They haven't identified the route.1:31The criminal allegations concern the conditions of transport.1:34Crossing state lines alone doesn't show that someone trafficked animals.1:37Sheriff's officials say Pinnock, who's forty-eight, was arrested on five counts of1:40cruelty to non-livestock animals.1:42The charges are allegations, and she's presumed innocent.1:45The conduct tied to each individual count hasn't been detailed publicly.1:49The immediate welfare question is still unanswered.1:51Officials haven't publicly identified who received the animals after the stop or1:55what care they received.1:56We don't know whether all seventy, two reached appropriate care or what their2:00medical condition was when they arrived.Explore with HeyDexFollow via RSS
