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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Voice For Us Disclaimer: This story is sourced from the press release by the SPCA of Texas. Please note that details may be removed or new information added should updates become available.

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

Sandy's picture shared from the SPCA of Texas

For more animal cruelty stories, please click here. Thank you!

ROBERT LABRIE, owner of the Friesians of Majesty horse farm, arrested – Nearly forty horses removed from a private property

- Vermont, USA -

⚠️WARNING⚠️The article contains pictures some of you may find distressing⚠️

72-year-old ROBERT LABRIE, owner of the Friesians of Majesty horse farm on Maggie Ladd Road in Townshend, was arrested on Tuesday, June 17, 2025, and thirty-nine horses were removed from a private business marking the fourth seizure of horses from LABRIE’s breeding facility.

Joshua Morse, with the Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department, said that “This action is part of an ongoing animal cruelty investigation in partnership with the Vermont State Police and the Vermont Department of Public Safety’s Animal Welfare Division.”

The horses were found in deplorable conditions. State Veterinarian Kaitlynn Levine said those were unacceptable conditions for horses to be living in.

Detective Sergeant Taddei wrote in the affidavit “They did not have access to shelter and there was no natural shelter.”

Two of the thirty-nine horses were in critical condition and were taken to an equine hospital for immediate care. The other thirty-seven horses are now in the care of The Dorset Equine Rescue (DER), a charity organization in Rupert.

This is not the first time that DER cares for horses removed from LABRIE’s farm. In fact, the nonprofit has cared for another thirty-five horses who had previously been removed from the farm over the last two years.

In an update shared on its Facebook page DER wrote: “……Our staff and veterinarian have been working tirelessly—spending most of Tuesday into the night, all day Wednesday, and Thursday morning thoroughly examining each horse and addressing a variety of medical issues and conditions. Two of the horses remain in the hospital and will stay there at least through the weekend.”

DER also explained: “To date, The Dorset Equine Rescue has rescued 74 Friesians and surrogate mares from this property. There are still approximately 25 horses remaining at the farm. We are deeply grateful to our incredible team of staff and volunteers who have worked tirelessly behind the scenes to make these life-saving efforts possible.”

After LABRIE was arrested on Tuesday, he was taken to the Westminster State Police Barracks for processing. He was later released on condition that he did not return to the farm.

However, LABRIE did go back to Maggie Ladd Road, and he was arrested again and cited with violating the conditions of his release. LABRIE was then transported to Southern State Correctional Facility. The following day, he was arraigned on charges of cruelty to animals and violating the conditions of his release.

Meanwhile DER, with its facility already at capacity, needs our help to face this hardship. Rescues like this incur multiple expenses. DER needs help to cover the cost of medical care and medications as well as food and overall care for all of these Voiceless Victims.

If you wish and can afford to make a donation, please click here. Thank you!

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Voice For Us Disclaimer: Please note that details may be removed or new information added should updates become available.

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.

Pictures of the horses shared from The Dorset Equine Rescue Inc.

For more animal cruelty stories, please click here. Thank you!

GERALD GALLEGOS arrested after he was seen on video ruthlessly and mercilessly abusing a defenseless dog

- Texas, USA -

What is lower and more evil than someone who abuses, tortures, and hurts those who cannot defend themselves and are unable to report the abuse?

A witness who was in the right place at the right time filmed the sickening moments during which an innocent dog was being mercilessly abused. It can be hard to keep filming without intervening, but videos are vital evidence to present to law enforcement so that the offender can face the legal consequences.

The video in question was posted on social media and shared by FitFam El Paso. Once the El Paso County Sheriff's Office became aware of it, deputies and detectives immediately launched an investigation.

El Paso County Sheriff Oscar Ugarte described the incident as a “disturbing act of animal abuse”.

The footage shows a male walking a small dog and at some point, he lifts up the dog by the collar and while the dog is suspended in the air, the male repeatedly hits the pup with his hand. The male then puts the dog down and they continue walking until he once again briefly lifts up the dog who flips in the air before landing on the street.  

The furvictim is visibly terrorized as he/she continues to look at the male fearing to be lifted up again.

The male keeps pulling the dog to him by the leash as they walk.

The person filming the incident is in a vehicle and it seems that the witness says something to the abuser. The poor dog keeps turning around to look at the witness as if he/she wanted to say: “Please, take me!”

The investigation identified 68-year-old GERALD GALLEGOS (pictured), as the male who was abusing the pup.

Within hours, officials had GALLEGOS in handcuffs and booked his sorry behind into the El Paso County Downtown Detention Facility on one felony count of cruelty to non-livestock animals. Bond was set at $35,000. At the time of writing, records show GALLEGOS is no longer in custody.

Sheriff Ugarte said: “Animal cruelty will not be tolerated in our community. We will continue to act swiftly when animals are harmed and hold offenders accountable.”

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 Voice For Us Disclaimer: This story is sourced from information released by the El Paso County Sheriff’s Office. Please note that details may be removed or new information added should updates become available.

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.

GALLEGOS’ mugshot shared from the El Paso County Sheriff's Office

For more animal cruelty stories, please click here. Thank you!