HOUSTON — The owners of two Houston dogs could face animal cruelty charges in separate investigations by the Harris County Precinct 1 Constable's Office.
Yorkie thrown down stairs
On Thursday, Precinct 1 animal cruelty investigators and the Houston SPCA tried to rescue a Yorkshire terrier that was thrown down a flight of stairs at an apartment complex on West Orem Drive in southeast Houston. The 8-year-old Yorkie suffered a broken neck in the fall and had to be euthanized.
On cellphone video recorded by a witness, you hear the man yelling and the dog yelping in pain after he threw it down the stairs while inside a kennel. We are not sharing the video because of its disturbing nature.
A second dog found inside the apartment was removed and remains in the care of the Houston SPCA.
The man's name hasn't been released yet.
Frenchie left in heat without water
In the second case, Precinct 1 responded to a report of a small French bulldog believed to be in heat distress on an apartment balcony on Drexel Drive near the Southwest Freeway.
The dog was confined in a kennel with no shelter from the sun and no water, Precinct 1 said. They said it was lethargic and had a temperature of 103 degrees. They removed the dog and it's being treated.
Witnesses told them the owners often left the dog outside for long periods. Its kennel was also full of feces.
Short-muzzled dogs, including bulldogs, are more prone to heat distress because their shortened airways restrict airflow. According to Precinct 1, they can suffer heat exhaustion or heat stroke after short periods outside.
Investigators learned the owners were in the process of being evicted and they weren't home when the dog was found.
The case is being turned over to the Harris County District Attorney's Office Animal Cruelty Section.
If you see an animal being abused, file an animal cruelty report by calling 713-869-7722 or go online.
