Victor Ortega RIO GRANDE VALLEY – Animal abuse can range from the intentional killing, poisoning or serious bodily injuring of an animal, including the case of Alec Omar Espericueta arrested in early April for an animal abuse felony.
Rebecca Chavez, Yaqui Animal Rescue chief operations officer, said some cases can also be identified as a misdemeanor, such as negligence.
That includes not providing enough resources for domestic animals and livestock.
“Maybe you have the animal tethered illegally and then it goes all the way up to a felony where the act is, you know, a little bit more cruel in nature, where you see the worst of the worst,” Chavez said. “You can see bludgeoning, you know, blunt trauma. Sometimes that includes stabbing, and the list goes on.”
Chavez is testifying in the 2025 Texas legislature in support of bills that would make veterinary care more accessible and stop the retail selling of animals.
“All of those [retail animals] come from puppy mills. They always turn out to be sick and or have some kind of congenital abnormality,” Chavez said. “So, we’re trying to ban pet stores or allow pet stores to source the animals from humane organizations like rescues and shelters.”
Chavez shares most stories of animal abuse seen at the shelter come from owners that cannot or refuse to provide sufficient nourishment to animals.
“One of the main ones was when we rescued Harvey the dalmatian,” Chavez said. “He was found along the street by a passerby. And I had never seen a dog this emaciated before. I mean, he was a walking skeleton.”
Harvey’s owners were charged by the McAllen Police with animal abuse for its life-threatening condition, but these charges were dismissed after releasing Harvey from their care.
Harvey was taken to a veterinarian after being rescued, and Chavez said he is now doing great.
In a statement provided to KVAQ-TV by Best Friends Animal Society, the group advises to report any case of abuse directly to the appropriate authorities, be it city police or a local sheriff’s office.
A few places in the Valley offer affordable spaying and neutering services include the Brownsville Spay/Neuter and Wellness Center in 1050 Mackintosh Dr A and the Texas Wellness Spay and Neuter Clinic in 900 N Ware Rd in McAllen.
