James Henry Eubanks Sentenced to Six Years in Penitentiary As a Result of SPCA of Texas Cruelty Investigation in Van Zandt County

DALLAS; VAN ZANDT COUNTY, TEXAS – James Henry Eubanks was sentenced to six years in a Texas Department of Criminal Justice (TCDJ)system penitentiary when he pled guilty to Cruelty to Non-Livestock Animals(b)(1), a 3rd degree felony. The sentence was handed down in the 294th District Court of Van Zandt County by Judge Chris Martin on July 11, 2024. Eubanks was transferred to the TCDJ system Friday, September 6th.

Eubanks had been arrested on Jan. 19, 2024, and taken into custody where he was booked into the Van Zandt County Jail and charged with Cruelty to Non-Livestock Animals. This followed an intense investigation which began the evening of January 16th, when the SPCA of Texas Animal Cruelty Investigations (ACI) Unit and the Van Zandt County Sheriff’s Office removed 10 cruelly treated dogs, three of which were deceased, from a property near Wills Point, Texas.

At the time of this investigation, about 6 p.m., the temperature in the area was 15 degrees Fahrenheit. A total of 10 Pitbull-type dogs were confined to the property. Six of the dogs were separated out and confined to their own kennels and of those six dogs, three were deceased. The four remaining dogs were running loose on the property and were attempting to find a windbreak from the freezing wind. Investigators were not able to locate any food available to the dogs and all water sources on the property were frozen solid. Eubanks was identified as the caretaker of the dogs

It was determined by the SPCA of Texas ACI 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.

The SPCA of Texas became involved in the case of alleged animal cruelty after receiving a complaint from a concerned citizen about dogs suffering in the cold with possible deceased dogs on scene.

“Animal crimes are notoriously known to yield weak punishments, so getting a sentence of 6 years in prison is a tremendous win for the SPCA of Texas and Van Zandt County,” said SPCA of Texas Chief Investigator, Animal Cruelty Investigations Unit Courtney Burns, CAWA. “This case represents a successful team effort and I want to thank the Van Zandt County Sheriff’s Office for their assistance on scene and the District Attorney’s Office for working so hard to get this conviction and sentence.

“We also are thankful that a concerned citizen came forward and reported what they witnessed happening to these animals. I cannot stress enough how important it is for the public to file a complaint if they suspect animal cruelty is occurring,” Burns added.

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.

View photos of animals on scene and Eubanks’ arrest.