The Houston Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) and the Harris County Constable's Office rescued a pet bulldog on Monday, following disturbing video footage capturing a man kicking and throwing the bulldog.
According to the Houston SPCA, officials were called to an apartment complex in Southeast Houston after the owner was recorded on a Ring doorbell camera abusing the 1-year-old bulldog. The video shows the owner kicking the dog before picking up the 50-pound dog by one of his back legs and throwing him across the walkway, he then threatens to kick the dog again. It's unclear what provoked the violent attack on the animal.
With a civil seizure warrant, officials, who arrived at the scene to rescue the dog, also found two French bulldogs covered in urine and feces in a small wire kennel.
"If you are able to safely obtain photos or video to report animal cruelty, it can be very useful against those who dare to commit these crimes in public view," Chief Cruelty Investigator at the Houston SPCA, Jay Chase said in the press release.
"It's critical to call us or report cruelty online because it can save lives."
All three dogs are now safely in the care of the Houston SPCA veterinary staff and care teams as they are being examined for possible injuries, according to the Houston SPCA.
The Houston SPCA has not only advocated for the protection of animals, but in Harris County, they have dedicated an 11-member animal cruelty investigations team to partnering with Harris County Precinct 1 Constable's Office and other law enforcement agencies to combat animal cruelty.
Despite many animal organizations across the country advocating and combating animal abuse, it's estimated that every year, 10 million animals die from abuse in the United States, according to data from the Federal Bureau of Investigation's National Incident-Based Reporting System (NIBRS).
According to the data, which takes animal cruelty offenses in the U.S. over a 10-year period from 2012 to 2021, Texas takes the lead with nearly 7,000 animal cruelty offenses during this time period. This number is six times higher than the national average of 1,146 offenses and accounts for 15 percent of all animal cruelty offenses reported in the U.S. between 2012 and 2021.
In addition, this is not the first time video footage has led authorities and animal rescuers to animal abuse or neglect as another disturbing video in Idaho, captured on a doorbell camera in July, showed a man lift a dog into the air before slamming it onto the ground while another man watched.
The Filer Police Department identified one of the men seen in the graphic video
The case against the Houston man will be presented before a judge on Wednesday as animal cruelty is a felony in the state of Texas and punishable by up to two years in prison and a $10,000 fine.
