DALLAS; VAN ZANDT COUNTY, TEXAS – Before a civil custody hearing Wednesday, Oct. 15, 2025, at the Van Zandt County Justice of the Peace Precinct 4 Courthouse (1540 FM 279, Ben Wheeler, TX 75754), 16 dogs from a property in Van Zandt County were surrendered and released to the SPCA of Texas. Criminal charges in the case are being pursued.

The animal owner in the case allegedly cruelly confined and neglected the 16 male and female dogs.

“Our medical team is working diligently to determine and provide best practice treatments for all the dogs’ maladies,” said SPCA of Texas’ ACI Unit Chief Investigator Courtney Burns, CAWA. “And our behavioral team is taking it slow, gently socializing the pups. By the gratitude we see in their eyes, these beautiful dogs know they are being cared for with compassion at the SPCA of Texas Russell E. Dealey Animal Rescue Center.”

On Tuesday, Oct. 7, 2025, the SPCA of Texas Animal Cruelty Investigations (ACI) Unit rescued 16 small dogs from a property in Van Zandt County. The ACI Unit responded to the location in rural Van Zandt County on Monday, Oct. 6, 2025, after receiving an anonymous request for a welfare check on an unoccupied rural property.

When the ACI Unit arrived, they realized the dogs needed care right away and worked to obtain a seizure warrant for the animals. The seizure warrant was obtained the next morning—October 7th—and the team immediately returned to the property to execute the warrant.

A thorough inspection found filthy raised kennels, many without adequate shelter; rough, uneven flooring beneath them; padlocks on every kennel; dirty water contaminated with feces; and live maggots swarming the area beneath the kennels. Many of the animals—primarily Yorkshire Terriers, Dachshunds and Chihuahuas—had matted fur, apparent hair loss, and extremely long toenails. At least two of the dogs were pregnant. The alleged dog owner did not live on the property.

All of the dogs were seized and transported to the SPCA of Texas Russell E. Dealey Animal Rescue Center for evaluation and treatment. Initial findings during a forensic evaluation revealed that the dogs suffered from a high load of intestinal parasites, flea infestations and dental disease. Two of the dogs tested positive for heartworms.

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, visit https://spca.org/abuse.

About SPCA of Texas

Founded in 1938, the SPCA of Texas is a 501(c)3 non-profit animal welfare organization that operates one shelter, one spay/neuter clinic, one mobile adoptions vehicle and an animal rescue center, all located in Dallas County. The organization maintains a team of animal cruelty investigators who rescue hundreds of animals from cruel situations 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 organization and does not receive general operating funds from the City of Dallas, State of Texas, federal government or any other national humane organization. The SPCA of Texas is dedicated to creating a brighter future for animals, people and the community. To learn more about the SPCA of Texas, visit the website at www.spca.org.

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View photos from the case.