safety
Woman accused of taping dog’s mouth shut arrested for animal cruelty, BCSO says
By Samuel Rocha IV, Rocky Garza at KSAT 12 (ABC affiliate)
· July 9, 2026
· 1 min read
A woman was taken into custody Thursday morning on the far West Side after allegedly torturing a dog, the Bexar County Sheriff Office said.BCSO deputies responded to a report of animal cruelty around 9:30 a.m. in 11700 block of Culebra Road, near Roft Road. According to the sheriff’s office, a sm...
Key takeaway Deputies arrested Kenyatta Smith, 51, and BCSO said she was charged with cruelty to non-livestock animals – torture, a state jail felony.
Why this matters in The San Antonio
The arrest of Kenyatta Smith on animal cruelty charges brings attention to the need for vigilant reporting of suspected animal abuse in San Antonio 's neighborhoods. The fact that Bexar County deputies were able to respond quickly to the report and find the dog in stable condition suggests that the community is taking steps to protect vulnerable animals. However, the incident also raises questions about the resources available to prevent and investigate animal cruelty cases in the area. As the seized dogs are now in the care of Bexar County Animal Control, it will be important to monitor the outcome of this case and ensure that those responsible for animal welfare in the county are equipped to handle such situations effectively. The charging of Smith with a state jail felony also underscores the seriousness with which local law enforcement is treating this incident, and the community will be watching to see how the case proceeds.
About this story
Original reporting by KSAT 12 (ABC affiliate) . The San Antonio surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit KSAT 12 (ABC affiliate) . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: safety ·
Published: July 9, 2026 ·
Source: KSAT 12 (ABC affiliate) ·
Reading time: 1 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? A woman was taken into custody Thursday morning on the far West Side after allegedly torturing a dog, the Bexar County Sheriff Office said.BCSO deputies responded to a report of animal cruelty around 9:30 a.m. in 11700 block of Culebra Road, near Roft Road. According to the sheriff’s office, a sm...
When was this published? This article was first published on July 9, 2026 by KSAT 12 (ABC affiliate) and curated for The San Antonio readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Samuel Rocha IV, Rocky Garza at KSAT 12 (ABC affiliate). To learn more about how The San Antonio selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more safety coverage from The San Antonio, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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