More Than One Dozen People Arrested in Animal Cruelty Warrant Roundup

HARRIS COUNTY, TX – Harris County Precinct One Deputies conducted 'Operation: Don’t be Cruel” today August 10, 2019.

This warrant round-up was designed to arrest those wanted on various outstanding animal cruelty charges.

More than a dozen two-deputy teams fanned out across Harris County beginning this morning at 5 am in an effort to serve these open warrants. In all, 13 suspects were arrested, 25 warrants were cleared. At locations where arrests were not made, Precinct One deputies left information so that the accused knows how and where to address their pending criminal case.

Some of the cases date back to 2017.

Among those arrested is defendant Edmond Megdal. Our investigators have been working with him since March in an effort to get him to improve living conditions and his care of more than 200 animals discovered on his property. The animals included birds, turtles, mice, rabbits and bearded dragons. They were discovered living in deplorable conditions without access even to water. While Megdal was arrested this morning, a health condition led him to need medical attention and he was transported to an area hospital. His booking will be completed at a later date. This is why there is no mug shot of him below. You will find his image in the attached video posted to our Youtube channel.

Johanna Marie Williams was also arrested on an outstanding animal cruelty charge as well. In February, Precinct One investigators and the Houston SPCA discovered an emaciated dog at her residence. The dog was in such poor condition that a veterinarian gave it a Body condition score of “.5” on a scale of 0-9. (Zero is the worst condition, 9 the best.)

'Operation: Don’t Be Cruel” began months prior and has resulted in prior arrests as well. Defendant Tony Carodine surrendered himself prior to today. The 25 year old is accused of “Cruelty to Non-Livestock Animals”. According to investigators, Carodine was seen slamming a dog on the ground on more than one occasion. Some of the events were captured on video. He was seen grabbing the dog by the throat and hitting the dog. A veterinarian with the Houston SPCA evaluated the dog after it was seized by Precinct One animal cruelty investigators, finding it had an older fracture to its right hind leg, a possible newer hairline fracture to its left hind leg, bruising to its face and a broken left lower canine tooth. Carodine denied any abuse.

“Operation: Don’t Be Cruel” was researched, implemented and completed by the Office of Alan Rosen, Harris County Constable Precinct One.

The vast majority of those arrested face Class A misdemeanor animal cruelty charges, punishable by up to a year in jail and a fine of $4,000 if convicted.

We would like to thank our partners who fight every day to end animal cruelty: the Houston SPCA and the Harris County District Attorney’s Office. Without them we could not get the animals help and we could not hold those who hurt, abuse, or neglect animals accountable.

We should note as always that our animal cruelty hotline is available 24/7. You can call in a tip to us directly at (832) 927-1659. The Houston SPCA has a similar animal cruelty tip line which can be reached at (713) 869-7722.