By Staff
Joel Gutierrez, a resident of Lakeland, Florida, pleaded guilty to four felony charges in connection with the fatal shooting of a horse named “Ms. Mo”. He was sentenced to one year in prison followed by five years of probation.
Key Case Details
- The Incident: In September 2024, Gutierrez arrived at a property on North Turkey Creek Road and demanded money for work he claimed to have done. When the payment was not handed over, he threatened to shoot a horse on the property unless he was paid.
- The Shooting: Gutierrez followed through on the threat, shooting Ms. Mo from a vehicle. The bullet fractured the horse’s leg, and due to the severity of the injuries, veterinary staff ultimately had to euthanize her.
- Charges: He pleaded guilty to:
- Aggravated animal cruelty with a weapon
- Discharging a firearm from a vehicle
- Grand theft of an animal
- Breaking or injuring fences containing animals
The case was prosecuted by the Hillsborough County State Attorney’s Office, 13th Judicial Circuit.
(Visited 17 times, 12 visits today)
Slap on the wrist. Maybe 10 years, and taking a shot in the leg would have been more fair.