A Houston-area man who was charged for allegedly torturing and mutilating six puppies was supposed to appear in court on Tuesday. However, the court had to reschedule after he couldn’t find a defense attorney due to the allegations against him, according to court records.
Justin Reilly Belton, 44, was charged with four counts of cruelty to animals after he was arrested at an animal hospital on Saturday, according to the records obtained by KHOU.
Belton had appeared at the local animal hospital seeking help for his puppies that prosecutors say had serious signs of abuse, ABC13 reported.
The court records state that four of the six puppies had legs or paws that were cut off. The court records detail further abuse.
Investigators said that the “puppies were crying in pain.”
One of the dogs was so injured that veterinarians had to euthanize it.
Belton was arrested at the scene after police arrived.
When police searched his home, they found an adult dog, which they believe to be the mother of the puppies, dead. Police found other dogs on the property and had them removed from the home as well, documents said.
Belton was scheduled to have a hearing for the charges but had to have the hearing rescheduled because the public defender refused to take his case, saying it was too disturbing.
His bond was set at $48,000.
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