Abilene, Texas (KTAB/KRBC) – An Abilene man has been arrested on animal cruelty charges after authorities say a dog lost its tail due to neglect following an injury.
According to court documents, on Sept. 3, 2025, an animal outreach officer was ordered to capture a pack of dogs in South Abilene. One of the dogs was captured the next day and was described as underweight and with a trauma to its tail.
The officer later contacted the resident of the dog’s home and the injuries were reportedly caused by the female biting the dog, which ultimately caused the tail to fall off.
The dog’s owner, Shequon Bernard Smith, confirmed that the dog did not receive veterinary treatment for its injuries, documents state. Later, a veterinarian who assessed the dog said it should have been treated “sooner”. Records also show the dog gained 39 percent of its weight in just 13 days in the shelter’s care.
A woman involved told police she had been the dog’s primary caregiver until she moved out in August. She treated the dog’s injuries with medication purchased from PetSmart, and Smith determined the injuries did not require veterinary treatment, documents state. BigCountryHomepage is currently unable to identify the woman because she has not been charged as of January 12, 2026.
Smith was booked into the Taylor County Jail and later released on $1,000 bond.
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