INJUSTICE: Starving 25 dogs to death in Texas gets you probation

TEXAS -- A husband and wife were each sentenced to 18-month misdemeanor probations recently in connection with the discovery of more than 20 dead dogs on their property in Maud, Texas.

Roy and Kelley Crow were arrested on charges of misdemeanor cruelty to nonlivestock animals after 24 dogs in various stages of decay were discovered on their property Sept. 8, according to reports from the Bowie County Sheriff's Office. 

 

A dog that was found alive on the Crow's property died the following day.

Fourteen of the dead dogs and the lone live one were found in kennels attached to a shop building on the Crows' property in the 1600 block of County Road 1116. Inside the shop, deputies found 10 more dead canines. None of the 25 animals had access to food or water. 

Each of the Crows entered a guilty plea to a single count of Class A misdemeanor animal cruelty at a hearing Nov. 30 before County Court at Law Judge Jeff Addison. Both were assessed a $1,000 fine and an 18-month term of deferred adjudication probation. If the couple successfully completes their probations, they will not have a final conviction on their criminal record. 

 Basically what this means is that it will be wiped from their criminal records as though it had never happened. As though those animals didn't suffer day after day, starving, trying to escape, and eventually lying down and dying of dehydration and starvation. Is that fair?? When will we take animal cruelty seriously in this country?

Assistant District Attorney Sarah Cooper said the case file they received from BCSO alleged only one count. "It is the duty of the D.A.'s office to prosecute cases as they are presented to us by law enforcement," Cooper said. "I prosecuted it as it was presented to me."

This is BS on the part of the DA's office. They read the reports. They saw that 25 dogs suffered and died. They could have filed additional charges. LAZINESS!!!!!

BCSO Chief Deputy Jeff Neal said the neglected animals were all discovered at the same time.

This is ignorance on the part of the sheriff's department. You do NOT charge per incident. You charge PER ANIMAL. Each animal suffered and died.

(Texarkana Gazette - Dec 12, 2015)

Earlier:

• Kelley Crow and Roy Crow arrested after deputies find 24 dead dogs
• Last of 25 dogs in Bowie Co., TX, cruelty case dies