SPCA of Texas Announces Arrest of Hunt County Resident for Cruelty and Torture

Jacob Nichols Charged with Cruelty to Non-Livestock Animals—Torture and Held on $200K Bond

DALLAS; HUNT COUNTY, TEXAS – On Tuesday, June 17, 2025, Hunt County resident Jacob Paul Nichols was arrested and charged with Texas Penal Code 42.092, Cruelty to Non-Livestock Animals (b)(1) after allegedly torturing his puppy over a span of several months, causing unjustifiable pain and suffering which ultimately resulted in her death, a felony of the third degree. Nichols was located and arrested in Johnson County where he was booked into Johnson County Jail and held on a $200K bond.

On June 6, 2025, SPCA of Texas’ Animal Cruelty Investigations (ACI) Unit Chief Investigator was contacted by the Hunt County Sheriff’s Office in reference to a deceased puppy that was discovered inside a dumpster at an apartment complex in Greenville, Hunt County, Texas.

The deceased, female, mixed breed puppy was found lying on her side in a medium-sized crate. She was emaciated and had sharp, overgrown nails.

An SPCA of Texas Investigator took custody of the deceased puppy and transported her to the SPCA of Texas’ Russell E. Dealey Animal Rescue Center for a forensic necropsy.

SPCA of Texas’ Forensic Veterinarian performed the necropsy that same day. The exam showed the puppy was 5.5 months old and weighed only 7.6 pounds when she died and that she perished due to extreme, long-term starvation and dehydration. The evidence indicated that she had suffered for a prolonged period of time. It was also discovered that the puppy had a microchip.

Research into the microchip indicated the puppy had been adopted by a Dallas resident from a North Texas animal shelter in January 2025. The puppy, named Sandy, was rehomed to Jacob Nichols on February 13, 2025, through a rehoming website that allows potential adopters to be screened prior to rehoming. Nichols signed a contract stating that he agreed to “care for the pet in a humane and responsible manner and to provide him/her with clean and adequate shelter, food, water and veterinary care.”

On June 13, 2025, the SPCA of Texas ACI Unit was able to locate and make contact with Jacob Nichols and confirm that the dog had been in his care, custody and control since he had adopted it. Non-custodial interviews with Nichols and other witnesses revealed evidence that the dog reportedly had been severely neglected over a span of months and allegedly left to die in the crate without access to food or water. This was consistent with the results of the forensic necropsy that was performed on the dog. An arrest warrant for Nichols was obtained on June 16^th.

“No animal deserves to suffer in silence the way this puppy did. The evidence indicates that she was trapped, neglected and ultimately starved to death over a span of months,” said SPCA of Texas’ ACI Unit Chief Investigator Courtney Burns, CAWA. “The level of cruelty in this case is staggering, and the SPCA of Texas and Hunt County Sheriff’s Office are committed to ensuring justice is served.”

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 in Hunt County, visit https://spca.org/abuse.

About SPCA of Texas

Founded in 1938, SPCA of Texas is a501(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. The organization 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 other 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 in a loving home. To learn more about the SPCA of Texas visit spca.org.

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Graphic Content Advisory: Please be advised that one image of a deceased, emaciated puppy is extremely graphic and may be disturbing. These materials are intended for journalistic use only and should be viewed with discretion.

Link to Photos: https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fo/9a26etwhntuxuatp6h27h/AC8ZCGiPxa5kmcfVjR0jQpY?rlkey=e98d0dlwcnffv8c74hvdwbfku&st=3ygdyizi&dl=0

PHOTO CAPTIONS

Jacob Paul Nichols mugshot

Sandy, prior to rehoming to Jacob Paul Nichols. courtesy SPCA of Texas

Sandy, prior to rehoming to Jacob Paul Nichols, wearing the same harness she was wearing at the time of her death. courtesy SPCA of Texas

The deceased, female, mixed breed puppy—Sandy—was found lying on her side in a medium-sized crate. She was emaciated and had sharp, overgrown nails. Sandy was 5.5 months old and weighed only 7.6 pounds when she died. A forensic veterinary exam revealed this cause of death to be extreme, long-term starvation and dehydration. courtesy SPCA of Texas