Quinlan, TX - Dennis Edward Welliver, 76, a resident of Quinlan, Texas, was arrested on October 20, 2025, and charged with third-degree felony cruelty to non-livestock animals after allegedly torturing his dog, causing extreme suffering that ultimately led to its death. He bonded out of Hunt County Detention Center on October 23, 2025, with a $150,000 bond.
The case began on the evening of October 8, 2025, when the SPCA of Texas Animal Cruelty Investigations Unit received a complaint regarding a dog in severely poor condition on Welliver’s rural property in the 9000 block of FM 751. Deputies on the scene reported that the dog urgently needed veterinary care, which Welliver initially agreed to provide.
Investigators returned the following morning with a Hunt County Sheriff’s Deputy and discovered the dog’s body, which Welliver admitted he had not buried. The adult poodle mix was found lying at the back of the property with severely matted fur weighing over 10.5 pounds, neck trauma, rotting tissue, and a dark fluid-soaked area infested with maggots.
According to SPCA of Texas investigators, Welliver had kept the dog tied outside with minimal access to food and water. He admitted the dog had not eaten for three days and could not recall its name. The dog had not been groomed for approximately a year, despite the breed requiring regular grooming every four to eight weeks. No veterinary care records were provided.
A forensic necropsy conducted on October 10 at the SPCA of Texas Russell E. Dealey Animal Rescue Center determined the dog’s cause of death to be gastric blockage due to extreme grooming neglect. The stomach contents included matted hairballs, and the dog had untreated neck trauma and infection. Investigators concluded that the dog suffered severe pain over an extended period, all of which could have been prevented with basic care.
“This case is a tragic example of prolonged neglect causing immense suffering,” said SPCA of Texas Chief Investigator Courtney Burns, CAWA. “We are grateful to the Hunt County Sheriff’s Office for their swift action and commitment to justice for this animal.”
The SPCA of Texas continues to work with local law enforcement to hold individuals accountable for animal cruelty and to rescue and rehabilitate abused animals.
Anyone with information regarding suspected animal cruelty in Hunt County or across North Texas is urged to contact the SPCA of Texas at www.spca.org/abuse. Donations to support the SPCA’s work can be made at www.spca.org/GIVE.
