Animal Cruelty

The Special Prosecutions Unit of the County Attorney’s Office represents the state in a civil forfeiture hearing when animals are rescued from inhumane conditions or neglectful owners.

Harris County Attorney Vince Ryan supports the rights of legitimate businesses to sell animals, so long as the animals are treated humanely and in accordance with the law. The office of the Harris County Attorney is committed to the protection of animals from abuse and neglect.

• In 2010, the Harris County Attorney’s Office was successful in protecting 1,077 animals seized from inhumane conditions. After a lengthy appeal, a jury found in favor of the County and the animals were awarded to the HSPCA.

• The Harris County Attorney’s Office has participated in a number of large scale animal cruelty cases. In 2009, the County was successful in securing the rights of possession of 1,009 animals rescued from a backyard breeder in Northwest Houston. The sick and injured animals were turned over to the HSPCA to be treated, cared for, and adopted out to new homes.