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

Tonya Alexander Charged with Animal Cruelty, Arrested

DALLAS: HUNT COUNTY, TEXAS – Monday, April 15, 2024, a warrant was issued out of Hunt County for the arrest of Tonya Alexander, who was charged with Cruelty to Non-Livestock Animals – Neglect, which is a Class A Misdemeanor. Alexander voluntarily turned herself in to the Van Zandt County Sheriff’s Office on Friday, May 10th, and was booked in Van Zandt County Jail with a $10,000 bond.

At approximately 9 p.m., Monday, Aug. 21, 2023, Hunt County Sheriff’s Office responded to a welfare check on a dog. Upon arrival, they observed the dog unlawfully restrained with the use of a chain and spoke with the owner to inform her that she was in violation of Texas’ Safe Outdoor Dogs Act that it was illegal to have the dog on a chain. The SPCA of Texas Animal Cruelty Investigations (ACI) Unit was notified by the Sheriff’s Office at that time and had planned to follow up with the case the next morning to make sure the owner was in compliance.

At around midnight that same evening, the Sheriff’s Office received a call from the dog’s owner who reported that an unknown man had come through her yard and had slit the dog’s throat. The Sheriff’s Office responded immediately to the scene and members of the SPCA of Texas ACI Unit talked Sheriff’s Office personnel through their response over the phone.

After closely reviewing the photos that the deputies had provided from their first response of the evening, it appeared to investigators that the dog had an embedded collar and the injuries to the dog’s throat were consistent with the removal of such an embedded collar, likely occurring when the owner removed the dog from the chain. The dog had an open wound on its neck as a result, and deputies told the owner that she needed to get the dog to a veterinary clinic first thing the next morning and notified her that the SPCA of Texas would be following up to ensure the dog received medical treatment.

On the morning of Tuesday, Aug. 22, 2023, at approximately 9 a.m. the SPCA of Texas ACI Unit visited the property to ensure that the dog had made it to the vet and the owner was still in bed asleep. The dog had not received any medical care at this point. The owner stuck to her story that the dog’s throat was cut by unknown men that trespassed on her property the previous night.

She agreed to sign the dog over to the SPCA of Texas. The dog was transported to the SPCA of Texas’s facility in Dallas for medical treatment and forensic evaluations. The examination determined that the collar had been embedded in the dog’s neck and the wound was made by the removal of the embedded collar, causing the dog significant pain and suffering.

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 fails unreasonably to provide necessary care to maintain the animal in a good state of health. An offense of this nature is a Class A Misdemeanor.

“This case was difficult to see,” said SPCA of Texas Chief Investigator, Animal Cruelty Investigations Unit Courtney Burns, CAWA. “The poor dog was as sweet as could be and was likely in unbearable pain over a span of several weeks as her collar worked its way into her neck. It’s important to check the size and fit of your dog’s collar on a regular basis, especially as they are growing into an adult.

“After several months of physical and behavioral treatment at our Dallas facility, she recovered back to good health and was adopted into a new, loving and forever home.

“Criminal cases can take some time to work their way through the legal system, sometimes up to two years depending on case load and complexity of the investigation. We are proud to work with Hunt County officials to pursue justice for victims of animal cruelty,” Burns added.

The criminal hearing will be scheduled at a time in the near future.

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 SPCA of Texas
Founded in 1938, the SPCA of Texas is a 501(c)(3) non-profit animal welfare organization that operates two shelters, one spay/neuter clinic, one mobileadoptions vehicle and an animal rescue center, all located in Dallas and Ellis Counties, and maintains a team of animal cruelty investigators who rescue hundreds of animals from cruelty 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 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 animal and Tonya Alexander mugshot.

All: courtesy SPCA of Texas

TONYA ALEXANDER MUGSHOT: Tonya Alexander mugshot

Picture 1: SPCA of Texas staff members treated the dog’s wound which was caused by the collar having been embedded in her neck for a significant amount of time. The dog was under medical care for more than six months.

Picture 2: SPCA of Texas staff members determined the collar had been embedded in the dog’s neck and the wound was made by the removal of the embedded collar, causing the dog significant pain and suffering.

LUCY IN LOVING HOME: After more than six months of medical treatment at the SPCA of Texas, Lucy was adopted into a loving, forever home and is living a happy life.