Animal Cruelty Misdemeanor Defense

Summary

The user is facing a Class A misdemeanor for animal cruelty in Texas. He claims his dog was sick and he provided care using human antibiotics. He was falsely accused by his ex and ex-landlord, who allegedly conspired against him. The user has evidence in the form of text messages and a friend who can attest to his care for the dog. He is seeking advice on how to defend himself in court and how to obtain a court-appointed lawyer.

Full Conversation

Misdemeanor class a animal cruelty
What state are you located in, Curtis? This will help me provide the most accurate information regarding animal cruelty laws in your area.
Texas
What specific actions led to this charge? In Texas, Class A misdemeanor animal cruelty can involve intentional, knowing, or reckless failure to provide necessary care.
Wasn’t the case at all my dog was sick
What was the nature of your dog's illness and did you seek veterinary care?
She wasn’t eating and I looked up on the internet about her symptoms and I gave her antibiotics and she’s ok now
Did you inform any authorities or a vet about your dog's condition before administering the antibiotics?
No I self helped myself by going on the internet and self cared for her
Did you receive any formal complaint or notice from any authority regarding this issue?
My ex took pics of her but the authorities never saw her but I talked to them and told them that my ex and ex landlord was getting together because she got caught lying on a eviction notice on me and was trying to get me out of my house before the judge told me I had to get out. I was working in the oilfield and I was paying my friend to go walk and feed my dogs I got a call while i had service and they were there at my house I told them I was in Louisiana but I would have the dogs out the house and I did
What evidence do you have to support your claim that your ex and ex-landlord were conspiring against you?
Because my landlord lied on a eviction notice and we were in court I told the judge I was already moving out but after the judge found out she was lying he told her she would have to refile a eviction notice in which she did but I was already out the house so a detective had called me and I told him the deal and he wanted to see the dogs I told him he could see them but it would have to be after * when my friend in which house they were at when she got out of work.. I didn’t have service on the oil rig I was on so the detective was calling me I didn’t get the calls because I didn’t have service so I my ex told them that the dogs were at my sisters house in which they wasn’t at the time I was getting a kennel built for them there and she gave them my sister number
Did you have any written agreement with your friend about taking care of your dogs while you were away? This could be crucial evidence in your case.
I didn’t have to right any agreements we still talk she can attest to that she was the one going to walk and feed my dogs
Can your friend provide a statement confirming she was taking care of your dogs? This could be helpful in your defense.
Yes she can write a statement saying that she helping me with the dogs while I was out working.. then on top of that my ex landlord told my neighbor that I let my dogs die in the house .. in which that was a lie
What evidence do you have to prove that your ex-landlord spread false information about you?
I have it saved in my phone
What kind of evidence is saved in your phone? Text messages, voice recordings, or something else?
Text message through Snapchat
What does the text message from Snapchat say?
That her friend called about renting the house and that I stole appliances out the house in which was a lie and I let like *-* dogs all die in the house in which was a lie
What steps have you taken so far in response to the misdemeanor class A animal cruelty charge?
I didn’t even know I was being charged with it I went to court on another case and found out then, once I told them I didn’t know anything about being charged with it they made a warrant up and said that I was being charged with it and I went to jail
Did you have legal representation when you went to court? It's important to have a lawyer who can help you navigate these charges.
No I can’t afford one I’ve been out of work for 3 months due to having a heat stroke and seizure
What steps have you taken to apply for a court-appointed attorney, given your current financial situation? In Texas, you have the right to request a court-appointed attorney if you cannot afford one.
I haven’t taken any steps I’m due due back in court on the 7th of November
What is the name of the court you are due back in? This will help me provide you with the contact details and potentially useful resources.
Nacogdoches county courthouse
What evidence do you have to prove that your dog was sick and you provided care for her?
In Texas, animal cruelty laws are strict. If convicted, Class A misdemeanor can lead to:
- Up to 1 year in jail
- Fine up to $*

Nacogdoches County Courthouse


Phone:(*) *-*
Address: * W Main St #*, Nacogdoches, TX *
Website: www.co.nacogdoches.tx.us
I don’t have any I just knew she was sick and wasn’t eating so she got smaller and I looked up self help for dogs that was having her symptoms and gave her antibiotics and cured everything up
Did you purchase the antibiotics from a licensed pharmacy or vet? This could help establish that you sought to provide care for your dog.
No they were human antibiotics amoxicillin
Did you consult with a vet or any professional before administering human antibiotics to your dog?
No I looked it up online it was the weekend and I felt like she wouldn’t make it until the following business day so I had some of my own and she got better
Did you document your dog's recovery after administering the antibiotics? This could be useful evidence to show that your actions were in the best interest of your dog's health.
No I didn’t I just watched over her and within a few days she was well I still have her the authorities didn’t even see her
Do you have any records of your dog's health now, like recent photos or vet check-ups, to show she is in good condition?
I can take pictures of her
What is the current condition of your dog? Can you provide recent photos showing her health and well-being?
Yes
What is the current condition of your dog? Can you provide recent photos showing her health and well-being?
She’s well running around in my mom and sisters yard
Did you inform the authorities about your dog's current condition and location?
I told the detective that was a old picture when he called me and that the needed to be wormed and I gave her antibiotics
Did the detective provide any feedback or follow-up actions after you informed him about your dog's condition and the care you provided?
Yes he called me but I was on a location so I couldn’t respond to his call
What was the detective's feedback or follow-up actions after you informed him about your dog's condition and the care you provided?
I told him what the whole situation was about when he first called me and that she was doing just fine
What was the detective's response after you explained the situation? In Texas, animal cruelty laws are strict. If convicted, Class A misdemeanor can lead to:
- Up to 1 year in jail
- Fine up to $*

Nacogdoches County Courthouse


Phone:(*) *-*
Address: * W Main St #*, Nacogdoches, TX *
Website: www.co.nacogdoches.tx.us
That he wanted to see them but again I was on my rig and didn’t get get his call and didn’t realize that he had left a voicemail because I get a bunch of spam calls so I have a voicemail saying he wanted to see them
Did you manage to arrange another time for the detective to see your dogs?
I told him it would have to be after * when my friends who house they were at got off
Did the detective agree to visit after * to see the dogs at your friend's house?
I didn’t speak to him anymore about it
What was the outcome of the detective's visit to see your dogs?
They charged me with animal cruelty and again like I previously said I went to court on another case and then found out that I was being charged with animal cruelty and I told them I didn’t know what they were talking about they made up a warrant for my arrest which I think was illegal because I told them I didn’t know what they talking about
Did you receive any formal documentation about the animal cruelty charge or the warrant for your arrest?
No
What steps have you taken since you found out about the animal cruelty charge?
I haven’t taken any I’ve been dealing with my health and went court they offered me 300 days in jail and I’m not taking that because this is all based off lies
What evidence do you have to prove that the charges against you are based on lies?
Because when my landlord went and filed the eviction notice on me and lied and said I owed her rent and I was being evicted was because I had dogs she didn’t mention anything about me not taking care of them she just lied and said that I was being evicted because I had dogs and was behind on my rent
What evidence do you have to prove that you were not behind on your rent?
She told the judge when he asked her was I behind on rent and she told him no I wasn’t but the guy that she was selling the house to told her to tell him
Do you have any documentation or witnesses that can confirm this conversation in court where your landlord admitted you were not behind on rent?
I’m sure I can get the transcripts from the lady who was typing everything from the court
What is the name of the court where this conversation took place?
Precinct No.* Nacogdoches tx
What evidence do you have to prove that your landlord lied about you owing rent and having dogs?
She told the judge herself that she lied
What is the current status of your eviction case?
That was thrown out
What is the current status of your animal cruelty case?
I go to court on the 7th
What evidence do you plan to present in court to defend yourself against the animal cruelty charge?
I have more questions
Of course, Curtis. What other questions do you have regarding your case?
How do I go about getting a court appointed lawyer? Wait until I go to court on the 7th?
You can request a court-appointed lawyer at your first court appearance, or even before. Contact the court clerk for the application process.
This would be my 3rd appearance
In that case, you can still request a court-appointed lawyer at your next appearance. It's never too late to ask for legal representation.
How do I do about getting the transcripts from her lying to the judge on the false eviction notice
You can request court transcripts from the court clerk's office where the hearing took place. There may be a fee involved.
Ok thank you
You're welcome! Is there anything else I can assist you with regarding your legal issue?
So I can call and get the transcripts of her lying and not saying anything about the dogs being sick just that I was being evicted because I had dogs and that I had them for 5plus years and the person buying the property told her to tell them that?
Yes, you can request the court transcripts which should include all statements made during the hearing. Remember, there may be a fee for this service.
Ok thank you is there anyway I can save this chat for further reference?
Yes, you can save this chat by taking a screenshot or copying the text into a document. Is there anything else I can assist you with?
Thank you no ma’am
You're welcome! If you have any more questions in the future, don't hesitate to reach out. Good luck with your case!