BEXAR COUNTY, TX – Two individuals have been arrested and charged in connection with a case of animal cruelty after a severely injured horse was abandoned and later had to be euthanized.

The Bexar County Sheriff's Office responded to a call on July 27, 2025, about an injured horse in an abandoned trailer. Deputies discovered a horse with critical injuries from a crash. A veterinarian on the scene determined the horse's injuries were so severe that it had to be humanely euthanized to prevent further suffering.

Investigators with the Animal Crimes Enforcement (ACE) Unit reviewed security footage from a nearby business, which showed a silver Dodge Ram pickup towing the wrecked trailer into a parking lot. The driver, later identified as David Morales-Mata, 24, unhooked the trailer with the horse still inside and left the area.

Approximately two hours later, Clarissa Morales-Gaytan, 23, who was also seen inspecting the trailer, filed a false report claiming the silver Dodge Ram was stolen. She later told investigators that Morales-Mata had called her, admitted to crashing with the horse trailer, and instructed her to file the false report.

Morales-Mata was booked into the Bexar County Jail on charges of animal cruelty to livestock animals and tampering with evidence. His bond was set at $10,000. Morales-Gaytan was also arrested and charged with filing a false police report, with her bond set at $1,500.