On August 11, 2026, Joshua Jones, 30, pleaded guilty in the 128th District Court to a charge of Felony Cruelty to Animals. He was sentenced to four years in the Texas Department of Criminal Justice – Institutional Division.
The case began on May 29, when the Orange County Sheriff’s Office received a report from a concerned citizen regarding an ongoing animal cruelty situation.
Upon arrival, Corporal Forsythe discovered a small dog with a choke collar wrapped twice around its neck and secured with a padlock. The collar had become embedded in the dog’s neck, while the padlocked chain was also being used to tether the animal in the yard.
Forsythe immediately seized the dog and transported him for emergency medical treatment.
Jones, who was on parole at the time of the offense, later admitted that he had placed the collar and chain around the 10-month-old dog’s neck. Jones claimed he had not seen the dog for approximately a week because he had been away, and said he believed someone else was checking on the animal.
Thanks to the concerned neighbor and Traci James of Traci’s Texas Tails Rescue, the dog, named “Fritz,” has since been adopted and is now living his best life with his forever family — exactly where he belongs.
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