Las Vegas Man Sentenced for Throwing Dog in Dumpster

Alexis Flores pleaded guilty to animal cruelty after incident was captured on video.

Apr. 16, 2026 at 9:11pm

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An extreme close-up photograph of a dog collar against a pitch-black background, lit by a harsh, direct camera flash, conveying the serious and gritty nature of an animal cruelty incident.A harsh flash photograph of a dog's collar highlights the disturbing reality of animal cruelty cases that have shaken this community.Las Vegas Today

A 31-year-old Las Vegas man has been sentenced to 120 days in jail for throwing his mother's Chihuahua mix named Marley into a dumpster. Alexis Flores confessed to the crime, saying he did it to 'teach the dog a lesson' after it nipped at his daughter. The incident was caught on video and Flores was arrested days later.

Why it matters

Animal cruelty cases like this one often spark outrage in the community and raise questions about how the justice system should handle such offenses, especially when they involve a pet being intentionally harmed.

The details

Flores pleaded guilty to attempting to kill, maim or disfigure an animal. Authorities said Marley was tossed into a dumpster in the 5500 block of Sheila Avenue, but was rescued by a woman throwing away a couch. The incident was captured on video, which showed Flores briefly leaving the area before returning to close the dumpster lid.

  • On April 16, 2026, Alexis Flores was sentenced to 120 days in jail.
  • Flores was arrested just days after the incident in early April 2026.

The players

Alexis Flores

A 31-year-old Las Vegas resident who pleaded guilty to animal cruelty for throwing his mother's Chihuahua mix named Marley into a dumpster.

Marley

A Chihuahua mix dog that was thrown into a dumpster by Alexis Flores, but was rescued and survived the incident.

William Rowles

The Clark County Chief Deputy District Attorney who prosecuted the case against Flores.

Lukas McCourt

The defense attorney representing Alexis Flores.

Crystal Eller

The District Judge who sentenced Flores to 120 days in jail.

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What they’re saying

“I just want to apologize for the mistake I have made. I promise I will never do this ever again. I've learned my lesson. I really feel bad about everything.”

— Alexis Flores

“He made the conscious decision to throw a dog in a dumpster and he deserves to be punished.”

— William Rowles, Clark County Chief Deputy District Attorney

“There are a lot of people in this house. There is a lot going on. I think unfortunately, instinctually, people can have a tendency to overreact when they are protecting their kids.”

— Lukas McCourt, Defense Attorney

“Of course this court knows there is going to be collateral damage if he has to serve time.”

— Crystal Eller, District Judge

What’s next

The judge will decide on Tuesday whether to allow Alexis Flores to serve his sentence on probation or if he must serve the full 120 days in jail.

The takeaway

This case highlights the ongoing challenges of balancing punishment for animal cruelty crimes with the broader impacts on offenders' families and communities. It also underscores the importance of public vigilance and swift action to report such incidents when they occur.