SPCA of Texas Rescues Three Horses in Hopkins County Cruelty Investigation

DALLAS; HOPKINS COUNTY, Texas – On Wednesday, Jan. 14, 2026, the SPCA of Texas Animal Cruelty Investigations (ACI) Unit removed three adult horses from a property during a coordinated response with the Cumby (Texas) Police Department related to an investigation into alleged animal cruelty.

During the same operation, the SPCA of Texas assisted the Cumby Police Department with the arrest of Stacy Schmidt-Breneman, who was charged with Cruelty to Livestock Animals – Neglect, a Class A misdemeanor. Schmidt-Breneman was taken into custody and booked into the Hopkins County Jail with a $2,000 bond and has since bonded out.

The horses were transported to a secure facility where they are receiving specialized care. During the removal, investigators were unable to locate any appropriate food source accessible to the horses.

The investigation began Monday, Jan. 12, when the Cumby Police Department contacted the SPCA of Texas ACI Unit requesting assistance with a complaint involving horses that were allegedly being neglected. The following morning, SPCA of Texas investigators responded to the property and made contact with Schmidt-Breneman, the reported owner of the horses.

Investigators observed that the horses were in poor physical condition, with varying degrees of severity. Observed conditions included visible hips, ribs and spine, as well as overgrown and cracked hooves. The area where the horses were being kept did not appear to provide sufficient forage for grazing.

Based on these observations, investigators determined that the horses required immediate intervention to prevent further deterioration of their health. The owner was advised to seek veterinary care for the animals, but declined. Investigators also offered the opportunity to voluntarily surrender the horses to the SPCA of Texas to ensure they received necessary care, but the offer was refused.

As a result, the SPCA of Texas and the Cumby Police Department obtained a seizure warrant for the horses and an arrest warrant for Schmidt-Breneman. Arrangements were made to ensure appropriate housing and care for the horses.

“The condition of these horses made it clear that intervention could not wait,” said Courtney Burns, CAWA, chief investigator for the SPCA of Texas ACI Unit. “While this case was outside our regular service area, we were pleased to have the resources available to assist and to work in coordination with the Cumby Police Department so these horses could receive the critical care they needed.”

A civil hearing is scheduled for Friday, Jan. 23 at 10 a.m. at the Cumby Municipal Courthouse, 100 E. Main Street, Cumby, Texas 75433, with Judge Kerry Crews presiding.

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, visit www.spca.org/abuse.

About SPCA of Texas

Founded in 1938, the SPCA of Texas is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit 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. The SPCA of Texas also serves as an active resource center for 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. Learn more at www.spca.org.

Warning: Images at the following link and below contain graphic content that may be disturbing to some viewers. All photographs: courtesy SPCA of Texas.

View photos

-30-