Two arrested for animal cruelty

SMITH COUNTY – On June 11, Deputies with the Smith County Sheriff’s Office responded to County Road 390, near the Old Kilgore Highway in Tyler, after receiving reports of a deceased dog found inside a metal crate on the property.

Upon arrival, deputies made contact with one of the residents, who reported that two deceased dogs and two living dogs were inside dog crates. Deputies were guided to the location of the crates, where they confirmed two deceased dogs and one severely malnourished, maggot infested dog.

The resident stated that the dogs were strays she and her mother had cared for over the past year but had recently stopped caring for. She admitted the dogs had been confined without reasonable access to food or water.

When investigators arrived on scene, met with deputies, and contacted Animal Control. Animal Control took custody of the two surviving dogs and transported them for emergency medical treatment. Unfortunately, one of the rescued dogs later died due to the severity of the neglect.

Investigators examined the crate containing the deceased animals. One appeared to have been dead for several days, with advanced maggot activity. The second appeared to have died more recently, showing signs of starvation. Both dogs were found in the same confined crate.

Investigators interviewed resident Adrecia Roy, 25. Roy admitted she was aware that one dog had died several days prior and that she placed the surviving dog into the crate with the deceased animal. She also stated that she and her mother, Miranda Hawkins, 50, had cared for the dogs for over a year.

Following the investigation, arrest warrants for Cruelty to Non-Livestock Animals were prepared and signed. Bond for each suspect was set at $200,000.