Teen horse competitor accused of hurting animals during Las Vegas event

A teenage competitor is accused of injuring three horses with a knife at a barn near a Las Vegas competition over the weekend, police and horse show organizers said.

Three horses were reported injured around 2 a.m. Saturday during the Professional’s Choice Vegas Super Show, the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department said in a statement.

The animals’ injuries were not life-threatening but kept the animals from competing, police said.

“The teen had access to the barn, and investigators believe she may have used a knife to inflict multiple injuries to the horses,” the police department said.

The girl, who was not identified by police, was found at a nearby hotel and arrested, police said.

She was booked on suspicion of 12 counts dealing with injuring horses and three counts of felony malicious destruction of private property, police said.

The National Barrel Horse Association in a statement Saturday said that the mistreatment involved a show competitor.

The show was being held over the weekend at the South Point Hotel & Casino in southern Las Vegas.