On July 17, 2018 Phillip Peng was arrested in Pahrump, Nevada possessing an endangered wild desert tortoise that he had mutilated and kept on a leash.
PENG used a power drill to make 2 holes through the shell of the tortoise where he attached a metal leash. The tortoise was also found in a deep container of water when PENG was arrested and the animal was fighting to avoid drowning. A tortoise does not swim. A herpatologists that examined the animal stated the drilling of holes into its shell would have caused extreme pain and suffering, hundreds of nerves connect to the shell. The shell had also been fractured. Further, part of the nails in its feet had been worn off from it trying to escape the cable tether. Peng stated he kept the tortoise in this condition for about four years.
Peng was also charged with Assault with a Deadly Weapon after allegedly pointing a gun at someones head, False Imprisonment and Carrying a Concealed weapon without a valid permit. It is well documented that those committing animal cruelty often escalate to committing crimes against humans.
The Nye County , Nevada Sheriff arrested PENG on two counts of felony animal cruelty. Subsequently, the Nye County, Nevada District Attorney dropped the one charge and only filed one misdemeanor charge of animal cruelty when the Nevada Animal Cruelty law applicaple substantiates a felony charge. (Case 18CRO3572)
It is just and proper when applying the Nevada State law in this case, (N.R.S. 574.100 (1) (a) 6 (a) that the Nye County Nevada District Attorney, Angela Bello and Christi Kindel, (filing Deputy) reconsider the charges and that the crimes committed by PENG be elevated to felony animal cruelty because they are, in fact, felony animal cruelty.
The crimes committed and the allegations and admissions made by PENG are torturous and outrageous.
The Nevada Desert Tortoise is a federally protected and endangered animal. The only way to prevent and reduce animal cruelty is to hold people properly accountable that commit it.
For more information, visit Pahrump Justice For Animals Local and Nationwide
