Tyler County, Texas – A Texas woman has been sentenced to five years behind bars following an investigation which led to the discovery of over 130 dead dogs at property in Tyler County. According to the Tyler County Criminal District Attorney, Ashley Dawn McFadden, 26, pleaded guilty Aug. 20 to three felony counts of Cruelty to Non-Livestock Animals and three misdemeanor counts related to the March 2026 investigation. Prosecutors said the charges involved causing the deaths of dogs and failing to provide adequate food, water and shelter for animals received through her organization, SETX Paw Patrol.
The investigation began in March when Donald Calhoon IV, an investigator with the Tyler County Criminal District Attorney’s Office, became involved in an ongoing animal cruelty investigation with the Tyler County Sheriff’s Office.
Following the investigation, authorities executed a search warrant at McFadden’s property in Colmesneil. Investigators discovered more than 130 deceased dogs on the property. Authorities also seized and removed 87 living dogs from the property. Several animal rescue organizations assisted the sheriff’s office and district attorney’s office in removing and caring for the animals.
McFadden was arrested March 12, 2026, and has remained in custody since her arrest.
Under the terms of her guilty plea, McFadden was sentenced to five years in the Texas Department of Criminal Justice for the felony offenses. She also received 161 days in county jail for the misdemeanor offenses, with that portion of the sentence satisfied by time already served.
McFadden will be transferred to the Texas Department of Criminal Justice to serve the remainder of her five-year sentence. As part of the consequences of her conviction, McFadden will also be prohibited from possessing a living animal for five years following completion of her sentence, pursuant to Texas Penal Code Section 42.107.
The Tyler County Criminal District Attorney’s Office thanked the individuals and organizations that assisted with the investigation and rescue effort, including Who Saved Who, Choppers Rescue Inc., Green Mile, Lotta Dogs, Tyler County Commissioner Precinct 3 Mike Marshall and his employees, along with others who assisted.
The case highlights the importance of reporting suspected animal cruelty and the role of law enforcement, prosecutors and animal rescue organizations in removing animals from dangerous conditions.
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12 Comments
5 years is not enough for what she did! We need harsher penalties to stop animal abuse! Abusers must be afraid of being caught with higher penalties!
And this is why these crimes against animals continue on a daily basis. People get away with abusing, torturing, killing, etc. animals with no significant punishment. Punishments for crimes against animals are a mere joke!
Wood chipper, make sure it’s feet first so she understands what’s going on.
Only 5 years for 130 dead dogs? Seems too light for me.
Only 5 years for 130 dead dogs? Seems too light for me.
CUNT…
Jail is too good. Tie her up and toss her in the middle of nowhere.
It’s interesting how quickly some cases can go with it being five months from arrest, yet others go on for years. The sentence is far too lenient considering the number of animals who died. I wish that penalties for killing an animal would equivalent to killing a human.
Ugly monster! Enjoy being someone’s bitch in prison lol.
Finally a State that knows how to punish and hold accountable these horribleanimal abusers !! These people have no soul they’re dead inside. How else can you explain the abuse that we see more and more of! If the laws are stricter and they’re held in jail and have to pay huge fines maybe it will slow it down… Our animals deserve better!!!
SHE SHOULD ‘ NEVER’ BE ALLOWED ANY MORE ANIMALS FULLSTOP!!!!!
130 POOR INNOCENT DOGS DUE TO NO FOOD NOR WATER THAT’S JUST PLAIN ABHORRENT! AND CRUEL????
SHE SHOULD BE UNDER FULL PSYCHIATRIC SUPERVISION ASSESSMENTS AND ONGOING TREATMENTS…THERE’S DEFINITELY MENTAL HEALTH ISSUES GOING ON THERE.?????
THREE???? THREE???? WTF???? There were 130 deceased dogs on her property, that she accepted money to take care of. How in the f**k does that equate to only 3 felony and 3 misdemeanor charges.
THIS IS F**KING RIDICULOUS. Burn that bitch at the stake.