Texas man, 44, is charged with dismembering six PUPPIES after he cut the helpless baby dogs' legs off at his dilapidated home

  • Justin Reilly Belton has been charged with four counts of felony animal cruelty
  • The 44-year-old dismembered six puppies - cutting off their legs or paws
  • He was arrested Saturday and remains in Harris County Jail on a $48,000 bond 

A Texas man has been charged with four counts of felony animal cruelty after dismembering six puppies by cutting off their paw or legs. 

Justin Reilly Belton, 44, was arrested on Saturday and remains in the Harris County Jail on a $48,000 bond.

Court documents state that Belton allegedly cut off legs or paws of puppies, who were still alive, with an unknown object - one puppy was found with two legs cut off.

Police found a dead female dog, believed to have been the puppies' mother, as well as several other dogs in 'unsanitary and confined conditions' at Belton's Baytown home.

Justin Reilly Belton has been charged with four counts of felony animal cruelty - he was arrested on Saturday and remains in the Harris County Jail on a $48,000 bond

Justin Reilly Belton has been charged with four counts of felony animal cruelty - he was arrested on Saturday and remains in the Harris County Jail on a $48,000 bond

A visit to the home by local broadcasters revealed a gate which restricts access to the front door and a sign next to the search warrant declares the home is unlivable.

An RV sits in the back and evidence that dogs occupied the residence was noticeable during the visit.

A neighbor approached by ABC 13 said they were 'surprised by the allegations' but did not comment further, while others declined to speak on the matter 'fearing retaliation.'

A visit to the home revealed a gate which restricts access to the front door

A visit to the home revealed a gate which restricts access to the front door

A sign next to the search warrant declares the home is unlivable

 A sign next to the search warrant declares the home is unlivable

Dog food was found in a plastic container at the 'unlivable' property

Dog food was found in a plastic container at the 'unlivable' property

An RV sits in the back and evidence that dogs occupied the residence was noticeable during the visit

An RV sits in the back and evidence that dogs occupied the residence was noticeable during the visit

Belton has a lengthy rap sheet which includes a harassment charge which was dismissed in 2016 and a deferred adjudication on a felony stalking charge in 2012.

The 'Cruelty to Livestock Animals' and 'Cruelty of Non-Livestock Animals' of the Texas Penal Code 'prohibits a person from intentionally, knowingly or recklessly cruelly treating an animal.' 

He's expected in court today. This is a developing story.

What is constituted as 'animal cruelty' under Texas law: 

  1. Torturing an animal
  2. Failing to provide food, care or shelter
  3. Abandoning an animal
  4. Transporting or confining an animal in a cruel manner
  5. Killing, seriously injuring or poisoning an animal
  6. Causing an animal to fight with another
  7. Using a live animal as a lure in a dog race
  8. Tripping a horse
  9. Injuring an animal belonging to another person
  10. Seriously overworking an animal

Source: SPCA Texas