SPCA of Texas Announces Arrest of Hunt County Resident for Cruelty and Torture

Dennis Welliver Charged with Cruelty to Non-Livestock Animals—Torture and Held on $150K Bond

DALLAS; HUNT COUNTY, TEXAS – On Monday, Oct. 20, 2025, Hunt County resident Dennis Edward Welliver was arrested and charged with Texas Penal Code 42.092, Cruelty to Non-Livestock Animals (b)(1), a felony of the 3rd degree, for allegedly intentionally, knowingly or recklessly torturing his dog and causing the dog unjustifiable pain and suffering that ultimately resulted in the dog’s death while in his care, custody and control. Welliver was arrested in Hunt County where he was booked into Hunt County Detention Center and held on a $150K bond.

“This case is a tragic example of how prolonged neglect can become just as cruel as intentional violence. Evidence shows that this dog suffered immensely for months, all because his most basic needs were ignored. Our goal is to ensure that this level of suffering never goes unnoticed or unpunished again,” SPCA of Texas Chief Investigator Courtney Burns, CAWA said. “We are grateful to the Hunt County Sheriff’s Office for taking this case seriously and helping us bring justice for this animal.”

On the evening of Oct. 8, 2025, SPCA of Texas Animal Cruelty Investigations Unit received an animal cruelty complaint regarding an animal located on a rural property at in the 9000 block of FM 751, Quinlan, Hunt County, Texas. The complaint was in reference to a dog that was allegedly in extremely poor condition. Deputies on scene had advised the dog’s owner that the dog urgently needed to see a veterinarian and the owner agreed to take the dog immediately.

The next morning, SPCA of Texas investigators returned with a Hunt County Sheriff’s Deputy to follow up. Welliver told investigators the dog had died and claimed he had buried it. When asked to show the burial site, he admitted he had not yet buried the dog and led investigators to the body.

The deceased dog, an adult poodle mix, was found lying on the ground at the back of the property. The dog’s coat was so severely matted that investigators could barely locate its head. The area around the neck was soaked with dark fluid and crawling with live maggots.

Welliver told investigators he had kept the dog tied up in the yard on a rope because it had been digging holes. A small plastic swimming pool filled with water and a bowl of dry food sat nearby. Welliver said the dog had not eaten in three days.

When asked the dog’s name, he could not remember. He said the dog had last been groomed “last fall,” about a year earlier, though dogs of this type typically require grooming every four to eight weeks. He also failed to provide veterinary records for the animal.

Welliver voluntarily surrendered the dog’s body to the SPCA of Texas. A forensic necropsy was performed on Oct. 10, 2025, by the organization’s forensic veterinarian at the Russell E. Dealey Animal Rescue Center. The matted fur, once removed, weighed more than 10.5 pounds. The veterinarian determined the cause of death to be gastric blockage due to extreme grooming neglect.

The stomach contents consisted of matted hairballs that contributed to the blockage. The dog also had untreated neck trauma that caused rotting tissue and infection while the animal was still alive. The forensic report concluded that the dog suffered severely before dying and that the death could have been prevented with basic grooming and veterinary care.

The SPCA of Texas continues to work with law enforcement to bring justice for victims of animal cruelty across North Texas. To support the SPCA of Texas’ efforts to rescue, heal and find homes for animals from cases of cruelty and neglect, please visit www.spca.org/GIVE. To learn more and to report suspected animal cruelty or abuse in Hunt County, visit https://spca.org/abuse.

About SPCA of Texas

Founded in 1938, the SPCA of Texas is a 501(c)3 non-profit animal welfare organization that operates one shelter, one spay/neuter clinic, one mobile adoptions vehicle and an animal rescue center, all located in Dallas County. The organization maintains a team of animal cruelty investigators who rescue hundreds of animals from cruel situations each year in North Texas counties. Moreover, the SPCA of Texas serves as an active resource center for an array of services that bring people and animals together to enrich each other’s lives.

The SPCA of Texas is not affiliated with any other organization and does not receive general operating funds from the City of Dallas, State of Texas, federal government or any other national humane organization. The SPCA of Texas is dedicated to creating a brighter future for animals, people and the community. To learn more about the SPCA of Texas, visit the website at www.spca.org.

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Graphic Content Advisory: Please be advised that these images of the adult, Poodle mix dog were taken the day prior to his death. Images of the dog are extremely graphic and may be disturbing. These materials are intended for journalistic use only and should be viewed with discretion.

Link to Photos from the Case: https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fo/9a26etwhntuxuatp6h27h/AC8ZCGiPxa5kmcfVjR0jQpY?rlkey=e98d0dlwcnffv8c74hvdwbfku&st=3ygdyizi&dl=0

PHOTO CAPTIONS

Dennis Edward Welliver mugshot

The deceased, male, Poodle mix, adult dog was found deceased at the back of the Hunt County property, lying on the ground. The dog’s fur was extremely matted, to the point where SPCA of Texas Chief Investigator Courtney Burns, CAWA, had a difficult time ascertaining where the dog’s head was located. There was dark fluid all around the area of the dog’s neck and it was teeming with live maggots. The cause of death was determined to be gastric blockage due to extreme grooming neglect, and the stomach contents consisted of matted hair balls, contributing to the blockage. This photograph was take the day prior to his death. courtesy SPCA of Texas