During an El Paso County traffic stop, authorities discovered 72 exotic animals, following which a 48-year-old woman was arrested. El Paso County Sheriff’s deputies conducted the traffic stop around 7:30 pm on October 22 along Interstate 10 East near mile marker 48.
Pinnock was arrested and charged with five counts of Cruelty to Non-Livestock Animals, and was subsequently booked into the El Paso County Downtown Detention Facility with a total bond of $10,000.
“Further investigation revealed that Pinnock had traveled through multiple states while transporting the animals. Deputies found 56 tortoises, two kinkajous, 11 hedgehogs, two guinea pigs, and one caracal, an exotic wild cat during the investigation . Deputies also identified licensing violations and restrictions associated with a previous animal cruelty arrest in Florida. Federal wildlife authorities were contacted to determine whether additional violations had occurred,” the post added.
