Target: Henry Garza, District Attorney, Bell County, Texas
Goal: Secure the longest prison sentence, steep fines, and lifetime animal-ownership ban for the individual reportedly responsible for Cyrus’s brutal abuse.
The Bell County District Attorney’s Office has reportedly charged a 45-year-old man with felony cruelty after investigators rescued a mixed-breed dog once known as “Dubz,” now called Cyrus. According to authorities, Cyrus was discovered in such poor condition that veterinarians described the case as egregious abuse. The suspect also faces multiple unrelated charges, but animal-welfare advocates fear Cyrus’s suffering could be minimized if strong penalties are not pursued.
Court filings indicate that Cyrus had endured significant trauma before being saved by Killeen Animal Services and transferred to emergency veterinary care. While the precise injuries have not been publicly detailed, officials emphasized that they warranted a felony cruelty count—Texas’s most serious charge for non-livestock animal abuse. The reported cruelty joins a disturbing trend of rising violence against companion animals across the country.
Unless courts impose decisive punishment—prison time, heavy restitution, mandatory counseling, and a lifetime prohibition on keeping animals—would-be abusers may see felony neglect as a low-risk crime. Robust sentencing sends a clear message that Bell County will not tolerate cruelty and that every animal’s life has value.
PETITION LETTER:
Dear District Attorney Garza,
Your office has reportedly filed a felony complaint against a man accused of subjecting a dog—now named Cyrus—to severe abuse. Investigators and veterinary professionals apparently found evidence so alarming that the charge of cruelty to non-livestock animals was deemed appropriate. Cyrus’s rescue required cooperation among Killeen Animal Services, patrol officers, and special investigators, underscoring the seriousness of the alleged offense.
The public trusts prosecutors to champion the voiceless. When an animal suffers prolonged neglect or physical harm, the impact extends beyond one pet; it erodes community safety and compassion. Texas law allows meaningful penalties for felony cruelty, including incarceration, substantial fines, court-ordered counseling, and permanent bans on animal ownership. These tools exist to prevent repeat offenses and to affirm that cruelty carries real consequences.
We respectfully urge your office to pursue the maximum sentence allowable and to request a lifelong prohibition on owning or caring for animals. A strong stance will honor Cyrus’s ordeal, deter future abuse, and reinforce Bell County’s commitment to humane treatment for all living beings.
Sincerely,
[Your Name Here]
Photo credit: Alexas Fotos
