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.
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Slap on the wrist. Maybe 10 years, and taking a shot in the leg would have been more fair.