JACOB PAUL NICHOLS arrested for callously neglecting his puppy causing her to die due to long-term starvation and dehydration

- Texas, USA -

On June 17, 2025, officials in Johnson County arrested 35-year-old JACOB PAUL NICHOLS (pictured), in connection with the discovery of a deceased puppy in Hunt County.

On June 6, 2025, the Hunt County Sheriff’s Office contacted the SPCA of Texas’ Animal Cruelty Investigations (ACI) Unit Chief Investigator after a deceased puppy was found inside a dumpster at a Greenville apartment complex.

The furvictim was found in a medium-sized crate lying on her side. She was emaciated and had sharp, overgrown nails.

An investigator with the SPCA of Texas took the puppy to the SPCA's Russell E. Dealey Animal Rescue Center for a necropsy. Results showed that the 5.5-month-old puppy died due to long-term starvation and dehydration. When she died, she weighed only 7.6 pounds. It was also determined that the furvictim had suffered for a lengthy period of time.

The puppy, named Sandy, was microchipped and investigators learned that in January 2025, a Dallas resident had adopted her from a North Texas animal shelter.

Sandy was subsequently rehomed to NICHOLS through a rehoming website on February 13, 2025.

It’s not clear why the Dallas resident who adopted Sandy in January, got rid of her one month later.

NICHOLS was interviewed by investigators and it was determined that while Sandy was in his care, he had neglected her over a span of months and left her to die in the crate without food or water.

A warrant for NICHOLS’ arrest was issued on June 16, 2025. The following day, authorities tracked him down in Johnson County and placed him under arrest.

NICHOLS was charged with one felony count of cruelty to non-livestock animals and booked into the Johnson County Jail. At the time of writing, records show he is being held on a $200,000 bond.

SPCA of Texas’ ACI Unit Chief Investigator Courtney Burns, CAWA said: “No animal deserves to suffer in silence the way this puppy did. The evidence indicates that she was trapped, neglected and ultimately starved to death over a span of months. The level of cruelty in this case is staggering, and the SPCA of Texas and Hunt County Sheriff’s Office are committed to ensuring justice is served.”

No sentence will EVER bring justice to Sandy. If this scum is convicted and sentenced to spend time behind bars, after his release, he will be able to resume his pathetic and useless life! Sandy won’t have the same opportunity.

Voice For Us strongly believes that in animal cruelty cases where animals have died, those responsible should get the death penalty. A life for a life!

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In the case of charges being dropped, dismissed, or the case being purged, this article will be rectified accordingly, if official documentation is provided to Voice For Us.

NICHOLS’ mugshot shared from the Johnson County Jail

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