HOUSTON — Editor's note: On Dec. 1, a Harris County grand jury no-billed Justin Belton based on testimony that another animal may have killed the puppies.
Original story:
A Baytown man was arrested over the weekend in a horrific animal abuse case.
Justin Reilly Belton, 44, tortured and mutilated six puppies, according to court records.
Belton was arrested at his home on Post Oak Drive Saturday and charged with four counts of cruelty to animals.
When officers searched the home they found six puppies badly injured puppies and an adult dog, believed to be the mother of the puppies, dead.
The puppies were taken to an animal hospital where one had to be euthanized.
Other dogs found in unsanitary conditions were also removed from the home, according to prosecutors.
Belton's next hearing had to be reset because the public defender refused to take his case calling it too disturbing.
His bond was set at $48,000.