Van Zandt County Dog Owner Arrested as a Result of SPCA of Texas ACI Rescue

Kory Kimble Charged with Animal Cruelty, Arrested

DALLAS; VAN ZANDT COUNTY, TEXAS –Before a civil custody hearing Monday, April 1, 2024, in VanZandt County Justice of the Peace Court, Precinct 4, the owner signed the 17 dogs over to the SPCA of Texas. The SPCA of Texas waived restitution. The dogs will be evaluated for potential adoption or placement on a case by case basis.

Immediately following, defendant Kory Kimble was charged with Cruelty to Non-Livestock Animals – Torture, which is a 3rd degree felony, and booked into the Van Zandt County jail with a $50,000 bond.

It was determined by the SPCA of Texas Animal Cruelty Investigations Unit that the dogs in this case were deprived of necessary food, water, shelter and care to maintain them in a good state of health resulting in death. According to the Texas Penal Code 42.092 (Cruelty to Non-Livestock Animals), a person commits an offense if the person intentionally, knowingly, or recklessly tortures an animal or in a cruel manner kills or causes serious bodily injury to an animal. An offense of this nature is a felony of the third degree.

“This was one of the most shocking cases of animal cruelty that we have encountered,” said SPCA of Texas Chief Investigator, Animal Cruelty Investigations Unit Courtney Burns, CAWA. “The living conditions were deplorable, but the most heart-wrenching aspect of this case that you cannot see in the pictures is that these dogs were starved for human affection.

“They are on their road to recovery now, and the person that did this to them cannot hurt them anymore,” Burns added.

On the morning of Friday, March 22, 2024, the SPCA of Texas Animal Cruelty Investigations (ACI) Unit removed 17 allegedly cruelly treated dogs from a property near Canton, Texas. A total of 16 Cocker Spaniel dogs and one Boxer dog were cruelly confined to deplorable living conditions. All surfaces of the home were covered in feces and saturated with urine. Skeletal remains of a deceased dog were discovered under a bed in the bedroom of the home.

The dogs were transported to the SPCA of Texas’s facility in Dallas for medical treatment and forensic evaluations. The veterinarian overseeing their care, SPCA of Texas Senior Director of Shelter Veterinary Services Dr. Shawn Ashley, reported that each dog was carrying from two to three pounds of dried feces on their feet and in their hair upon arrival. She also confirmed that the dogs were suffering from eye infections as a result of the remarkably high ammonia levels inside the house.

However, Dr. Ashley also reported that the dogs are in good spirits, friendly and full of hope. It will be some time before the animals will be ready for adoption.

The SPCA of Texas measured the ammonia level inside of the residence to be 350 parts per million (ppm). For a point of reference, short term exposure to any ammonia level over 20 ppm or long term exposure to any level over 12 ppm can cause health problems in humans.

The ACI Team had to utilize protective gear and respirators to rescue the dogs from the residence. The Cocker Spaniels’ fur was heavily matted and caked with feces to a degree that it was impeding their ability to walk, and they appeared to be suffering from skin and eye issues.

The dogs had access to filthy water, and the ACI team witnessed the dogs attempting to eat dry dog food that appeared to have been thrown on top of the feces-covered floor in the kitchen.

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.

About the SPCA of Texas

SPCA of Texas is the leading animal welfare organization in North Texas. Founded in 1938, the non-profit operates two shelters, one spay/neuter clinic, two mobile spay/neuter and wellness vehicles, one mobile adoptions vehicle and an animal rescue center, all located in Dallas and Ellis Counties, and maintains a team of animal cruelty investigators who respond to thousands of calls in North Texas counties. The organization does not euthanize animals for time or space. 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 entity and does not receive general operating funds from the City of Dallas, State of Texas, federal government or any other national humane organization. SPCA of Texas is dedicated to providing every animal exceptional care and a loving home. To learn more about the SPCA of Texas, visit spca.org.

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View photos of animals and Kory Kimble mugshot.

All: courtesy SPCA of Texas

IMG_2393: Cocker Spaniel as found in deplorable house environment.

IMG_2479: Cocker Spaniel being lifted into animal carrier by SPCA of Texas Animal Cruelty Investigations team member wearing protective gear and a respirator. The dog has balls of feces dried onto its feet, which causes the dog’s nails to corkscrew into the heavy ball.

IMG_5064: SPCA of Texas staff member working with Cocker Spaniel to remove matted and urine caked fur.

IMG_5025: SPCA of Texas staff member working with Cocker Spaniel to remove dried feces from fur and feet.

IMG_5070: Cocker Spaniel breathes a sigh of relief and relaxes against SPCA of Texas staff member after matted fur and feces removal.

IMG_5074: SPCA of Texas staff member comforts Cocker Spaniel after removing heavy feces balls from feet and matted fur.