Precinct 3 Justice of the Peace Pat Jacobs awarded custody of 37 dogs seized last week in Venus to the Humane Society of North Texas on Thursday.
Jacobs also fined John Charles Phillips, the dogs’ owner, $4,563.28. The fine includes food, board and medical care for the animals, which have been in the HSNT’s custody since June 24.
Moments after Jacobs announced her decision, Johnson County Sheriff’s Office Detective Steve Shaw arrested Phillips on a charge of animal cruelty. The charge is a class A misdemeanor punishable by up to one year in jail and a fine up to $4,000, said Jim Simpson, assistant county attorney.
That matter, which is a separate case from Thursday’s custody hearing, will be handled by one of Johnson County’s county courts at law, Simpson said.
Deputies and HSNT officials seized the dogs from Phillip’s property in the 3900 block of Reese Drive. A man working on the property — Phillip’s mobile home had been foreclosed upon — alerted deputies after he saw several dogs tied up in the backyard that appeared to be in distress. Officials located and seized 37 pit bull, pit mix and German shepherd mix dogs. They also found four deceased dogs.
Deputy Bradley Elkins testified he saw several skinny dogs with skin so tight their ribs, hip bones and vertebrae were visible. The dogs appeared to have no food and only stagnant, slimy water infested with larvae to drink, he said. The smell of feces and decaying flesh hit him upon entering the property, Elkins said. He also said the dogs were secured by chains and had inadequate shelter. The presence of tall weeds and sunflowers blocked air circulation making the animal’s condition in the heat even worse, Elkins said.
Pet medications found in Phillip’s home were out of date or had no date stamp, Shaw said.
“From indications of the scarring on the dogs, it appears that at some time they had been fought,” Shaw said during questioning.
Phillips disputed the charges and said he never trained dogs to fight.
Phillips claimed the dogs were show dogs, Shaw told Simpson.
Phillips claimed ownership of 15 of the dogs. He said other people, whom he did not know, left the dogs on his property when he was at work. Phillips said he kept them to try to nurse them back to health.
Financial problems prevented Phillips from properly caring for all the dogs, he said.
“It got to where I couldn’t afford to feed the extra dogs and take from my dogs,” Phillips said. “When I go to feed those dogs, I’m going to feed my babies first, I promise you.”
Phillips said he kept the dogs properly watered but said he was in the process of moving becasue he’d been evicted from his home.
Phillips apologized to the court and asked to keep four of his dogs. Jacobs denied the request and transferred ownership of all the dogs to the HSNT.
All the dogs seized are still alive, said Cynthia Jones, a Fort Worth veterinarian who examined the dogs. HSNT officials are in the process of evaluating the dogs individually and hope some can be adopted out, she said.
Local News
Seized dogs awarded
Owner fined and arrested
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Front, from left, are Grandview’s Caleb Hollingsworth, Cleburne’s Zach Haler, Joshua’s Jordan Garrett, Alvarado’s A.J. Castillo, Xavier Holbert, Kenny Adams and Marcus McNeil, Cleburne’s Conner Martyniuk and Godley’s Drew Benge. Standing, from left, are Alvarado’s Ronald Thomas, C.J. Johnson and Alex Gentrey, Grandview’s Austin Wylie and Caleb Armstrong. Not pictured is Alvarado’s Marcus Villarreal.
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Lady Jackets pick up first District 7-4A win
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Up-and-down Yellow Jackets split Friday’s matches at Little Elm Tourney
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Stage 2 drought plan still in place
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Standing, from left, are Grandview’s Ryan Breton (offensive most valuable player) and Austin Martinez (Ironman award winner), Alvarado’s Wayne Onderdonck (county MVP) and Brazos Fuller (co-newcomer of the year), Burleson’s Ayinde Alaajiy (co-newcomer of the year), Godley’s Blake Washinton (co-linemen of the year), Alvarado’s Tyler Bates (defensive MVP), Alvarado Head Coach Jeff Dixon (coach of the year) and Grandview’s Davis Scarbrough (co-linemen of the year).
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Indians on top of selections
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Four of Johnson County’s eight football teams qualified for the postseason in 2011 with Alvarado making it all the way to the Class 3A Division I state championship game at Cowboys Stadium against Tyler Chapel Hill. - Dixon repeats as AJC coach of the year
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Standing, from left, are Grandview’s Ryan Breton (offensive most valuable player) and Austin Martinez (Ironman award winner), Alvarado’s Wayne Onderdonck (county MVP) and Brazos Fuller (co-newcomer of the year), Burleson’s Ayinde Alaajiy (co-newcomer of the year), Godley’s Blake Washinton (co-linemen of the year), Alvarado’s Tyler Bates (defensive MVP), Alvarado Head Coach Jeff Dixon (coach of the year) and Grandview’s Davis Scarbrough (co-linemen of the year).
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Indians on top of selections
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Indians on top of selections
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Standing, from left, are Grandview’s Ryan Breton (offensive most valuable player) and Austin Martinez (Ironman award winner), Alvarado’s Wayne Onderdonck (county MVP) and Brazos Fuller (co-newcomer of the year), Burleson’s Ayinde Alaajiy (co-newcomer of the year), Godley’s Blake Washinton (co-linemen of the year), Alvarado’s Tyler Bates (defensive MVP), Alvarado Head Coach Jeff Dixon (coach of the year) and Grandview’s Davis Scarbrough (co-linemen of the year).
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Indians on top of selections
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Four of Johnson County’s eight football teams qualified for the postseason in 2011 with Alvarado making it all the way to the Class 3A Division I state championship game at Cowboys Stadium against Tyler Chapel Hill. - First team offense, defense features host of area standouts
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Indians on top of selections
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Standing, from left, are Grandview’s Ryan Breton (offensive most valuable player) and Austin Martinez (Ironman award winner), Alvarado’s Wayne Onderdonck (county MVP) and Brazos Fuller (co-newcomer of the year), Burleson’s Ayinde Alaajiy (co-newcomer of the year), Godley’s Blake Washinton (co-linemen of the year), Alvarado’s Tyler Bates (defensive MVP), Alvarado Head Coach Jeff Dixon (coach of the year) and Grandview’s Davis Scarbrough (co-linemen of the year).
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Indians on top of selections
The 2011 Lone Star Chrysler Dodge Jeep Autoplex All-Johnson-County football team has been announced. The team was chosen by the Times-Review sports department based on all-district selections and coaches’ nominations.
Four of Johnson County’s eight football teams qualified for the postseason in 2011 with Alvarado making it all the way to the Class 3A Division I state championship game at Cowboys Stadium against Tyler Chapel Hill. - First team offense, defense features host of area standouts
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Indians on top of selections
- Joshua
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Front, from left, are Grandview’s Caleb Hollingsworth, Cleburne’s Zach Haler, Joshua’s Jordan Garrett, Alvarado’s A.J. Castillo, Xavier Holbert, Kenny Adams and Marcus McNeil, Cleburne’s Conner Martyniuk and Godley’s Drew Benge. Standing, from left, are Alvarado’s Ronald Thomas, C.J. Johnson and Alex Gentrey, Grandview’s Austin Wylie and Caleb Armstrong. Not pictured is Alvarado’s Marcus Villarreal.
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First team offense, defense features host of area standouts
The 2011 Lone Star Chrysler Dodge Jeep Autoplex All-Johnson-County football team has been announced. The team was chosen by the Times-Review sports department based on all-district selections and coaches’ nominations.
The first-team offense included Alvarado quarterback Kenny West and Burleson quarterback Barrett Cain. - Cleburne, Grandview, Burleson lead second team offense, defense
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First team offense, defense features host of area standouts
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Upcoming sports schedule
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Front, from left, are Grandview’s Caleb Hollingsworth, Cleburne’s Zach Haler, Joshua’s Jordan Garrett, Alvarado’s A.J. Castillo, Xavier Holbert, Kenny Adams and Marcus McNeil, Cleburne’s Conner Martyniuk and Godley’s Drew Benge. Standing, from left, are Alvarado’s Ronald Thomas, C.J. Johnson and Alex Gentrey, Grandview’s Austin Wylie and Caleb Armstrong. Not pictured is Alvarado’s Marcus Villarreal.
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First team offense, defense features host of area standouts
The 2011 Lone Star Chrysler Dodge Jeep Autoplex All-Johnson-County football team has been announced. The team was chosen by the Times-Review sports department based on all-district selections and coaches’ nominations.
The first-team offense included Alvarado quarterback Kenny West and Burleson quarterback Barrett Cain. - Cleburne, Grandview, Burleson lead second team offense, defense
- Upcoming sports schedule
- Tuesday basketball roundup
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First team offense, defense features host of area standouts
- Venus
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Fallen deputy Clifton Taylor’s sister, Megan Davis, takes a picture of a painting of her brother on Monday during a dedication to the deputy. The Johnson County Sheriff’s Office renamed its building to the Clifton Taylor Law Enforcement Center in honor of the deputy who lost his life during a disturbance call in April. The picture was painted by Fort Worth artist Gary Crouch. Three pictures were made and one will hang in the Clifton Taylor Law Enforcement Center. The other two paintings were presented as gifts to Taylor’s parents and his fiancee.
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Never forgotten
The eyes of fallen deputy Clifton Taylor’s family began to swell with tears during a dedication hosted by Johnson County Sheriff Bob Alford and the sheriff’s office.
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Never forgotten
