2 arrested after injured horse found in abandoned trailer

Two individuals have been arrested following an investigation by the Bexar County Sheriff’s Office into an incident involving an injured horse found in an abandoned trailer on July 27, 2025.

Deputies were dispatched to a parking lot after receiving a call about a horse in distress. Upon arrival, they found a trailer with visible damage and a severely injured horse inside. No driver or owner was present at the scene. A veterinarian responded to assess the animal’s condition and determined that the injuries were critical and non-recoverable. The horse was humanely euthanized on site to prevent further suffering.

The Animal Crimes Enforcement Unit opened an investigation. Security footage from a nearby business showed a silver Dodge Ram pickup truck towing the trailer into the lot. The driver unhooked the trailer and left the area without the horse. The footage also captured a male and female inspecting the trailer before leaving the scene.

Investigators identified the male individual as David Morales-Mata, 24. Approximately two hours after the trailer was left, Clarissa Morales-Gaytan, 23, contacted the authorities and reported the same Dodge Ram as stolen. According to investigators, the report was false and intended to obscure the events leading up to the abandonment of the horse.

According to the report posted by the sheriff’s office, Morales-Gaytan told deputies that she and Morales-Mata had attended a horse roping event the night before the incident. She said Morales-Mata called her the next morning, informing her he had crashed while transporting the horse. She stated he asked her to follow him as he moved the vehicle and instructed her to later report it stolen. Deputies concluded this was an attempt to distance both individuals from the incident.

David Morales-Mata was arrested and charged with cruelty to livestock animals and tampering with evidence. His bond was set at $10,000. Clarissa Morales-Gaytan was arrested for filing a false police report, with bond set at $1,500. The Bexar County Sheriff’s Office has confirmed the investigation remains ongoing.