A man has been sentenced to three years in prison by the Texas Department of Criminal Justice for animal cruelty after an investigation into the torture of two dogs at an apartment complex in south Harris County.
In April 2024, Harris County Precinct 1 Constable Alan Rosen’s Animal Cruelty Investigators, working with the Houston SPCA, responded to complaints of a man tossing a kennel containing two little mixed-breed dogs from a third-floor landing to a second-floor landing. Witnesses caught the event on mobile phone footage and identified the suspect as Robert Lee Thomas III.
Investigators discovered that one of the dogs, a Yorkshire Terrier, sustained a fractured back and other serious injuries as a result of the accident. The Yorkie was terminated humanely owing to the severity of its injuries. The second dog, a black Chihuahua, was unharmed but was taken from its owner’s apartment to prevent further cruelty by Thomas.
After a criminal inquiry, Thomas pleaded guilty to animal cruelty charges. He is currently serving a three-year term in TDCJ.
Authorities encourage the public to report animal mistreatment by contacting 713-869-7722.
