ECSO arrests man on cruelty to livestock animals charge

Photo courtesy Ellis County Sheriff's Office.

Alvin Nelson, 71, of Cedar Hill was arrested by Ellis County Sheriff's officers for cruelty to livestock animals on land in Ennis.

ELLIS COUNTY — Cedar Hill resident Alvin Nelson, 71, was arrested on a charge of cruelty to livestock animals after an anonymous tip led Ellis County Sheriff's Office animal control officers to malnourished animals in Ennis.

"After an anonymous tip was received March 11, ECSO animal control officers were dispatched to the owner’s property, located in the 100 block of Bruce in the Ennis area," a press release issued by the sheriff's office stated.

Officers arrived at the 333 acre property owned by Nelson to find animals severely malnourished and one horse dying.

"Upon arrival, animal control officers immediately contacted their supervisor to obtain a seizure warrant after finding the animals to be severely malnourished and standing in pens full of muddy water and with no food or shelter. SPCA of Texas also was contacted to assist with the effort," the ECSO stated.

Photo courtesy Ellis County Sheriff's Office.

Ellis County Sheriff's animal control officers found severely malnourished animals on property in Ennis owned by Cedar Hill resident Alvin Nelson.

"One horse died at the scene. The remaining animals, including nine horses, one donkey and a dog, were taken in by the SPCA of Texas and transported to that agency’s facilities for care. One horse taken in by the SPCA has since died."

Nelson was taken into custody on Monday, March 16 by the Ellis County Sheriff's Office after a seizure hearing where Judge Jackie Miller Jr. awarded final custody of the animals to the SPCA of Texas.

Nelson was "transported to Wayne McCollum Detention Center, where he was booked in on the class A misdemeanor charge and subsequently released on a $2,500 bond," the ECSO stated.