DALLAS; VAN ZANDT COUNTY, TEXAS — Wednesday, June 20, 2024, an arrest warrant was issued for Michael Bradford Goggans, City of Wills Point Animal Control Officer. He was taken into custody and 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.

On Wednesday and Thursday, June 12 and 13, 2024, the Van Zandt County Sheriff’s Office responded to separate reports that an unaltered male, mixed breed dog named Rip, who belonged to Michael Goggans, was running at large and playfully jumping up on the neighbors. On the 13th, a sheriff’s deputy advised Goggans that he needed to keep the dog confined to his property and warned him that he would be issued a citation if he continued to allow the dog to run at large.

Goggans responded to the deputy’s warning by informing him of his intent to kill the dog. He contacted the deputy again to inform him that he had killed it and that the dog was in the front yard of his residence.

Van Zandt County Sheriff’s Office personnel immediately contacted the SPCA of Texas Animal Cruelty Investigations (ACI) Unit who responded to Goggan’s property. Upon arrival, the SPCA Investigator met with Goggans, who identified himself as the Animal Control Officer for the City of Wills Point. He admitted to shooting and killing his dog with a shotgun and using a type of ammunition that is commonly utilized for bird or small game hunting.

SPCA of Texas took the deceased dog into custody and transported it to their facility in Dallas for forensic evaluation. A necropsy was performed on the dog to determine the nature of the dog’s injuries that ultimately caused its death. On Wednesday, June 19, 2024, the forensic evaluation was completed, and the necropsy revealed that the dog was shot in its side from a distance with birdshot ammunition. Multiple tiny pellets entered the dog’s torso and caused the dog to slowly bleed out internally. This act caused unjustifiable pain and suffering to the dog before it succumbed to its injuries.

“Texas law does not prohibit an individual from euthanizing their own animal; however, it must be done in a humane manner that prevents pain and suffering,” said SPCA of Texas Chief Investigator, Animal Cruelty Investigations Unit, Courtney Burns, CAWA. “Unfortunately, in this case, the evidence shows that the dog suffered greatly at the hands of his owner and without any justifiable reason.”

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  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 www.spca.org.

Michael Bradford Coggans mugshot

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