7 February 19 - 25, 2026 dallasobserver.com DALLAS OBSERVER Classified | MusiC | dish | Culture | unfair Park | Contents Police representatives declined to com- ment on where the warrants were executed as the investigation is ongoing. Information on arrests tied to the operation was also not provided, although posts clarified that “ar- rests for dogfighting and additional crimes will be announced” as the investigation pro- gresses. The operation was a collaborative multi- agency effort between DPD, the Texas De- partment of Public Safety, the FBI, Dallas Animal Services, the ASPCA and Operation Kindness. The city entered into a formal, nonbind- ing agreement with Operation Kindness in May to provide medical, foster and enrich- ment services in support of the animal ser- vices department. Meredith Jones of Operation Kindness said the organization has provided forensic services for Dallas Po- lice animal cruelty investigations. “Our role there is just a completely unbi- ased medical opinion based on the evidence. Any wounds, any exit wounds, if there’s a gunshot, just all sorts of things to consider,” Jones said. “And then make a vet statement based on that. We also make recommenda- tions for the care of the animal.” Jones said that Operation Kindness staff were present at both a centralized opera- tions hub and properties under investiga- tion. “That really helps in terms of building the case,” Jones said. “Because if you think about it, if an animal is brought to you from their environment, you’re examining them in a shelter or some off-site [location]. All you have to go off of is that animal in front of you.” “Being able to examine the animal and also take into consideration the environ- ment and the conditions in which they’re living can really help make a more robust statement and share a little more of the com- plete story of that animal and the conditions in which they’re living.” Operation Kindness handles live ani- mal exams and necropsies for DPD, Jones said. She could not comment on the condi- tion of the animals the organization inter- acted with, but did say staff had “eyes on just about every dog,” seized on the opera- tion. She also said the animals are being housed by Dallas Animal Services and the ASPCA. “Certainly, in the 10 years that I’ve been here, this is one of, if not the largest, dog- fighting busts that I’ve been a part of,” Jones said. Dallas Animal Services did not respond to requests for comment on the animals’ condition or their accommodations. In an email statement, ASPCA represen- tatives said nearly 150 of the dogs had been transported to ASPCA recovery centers to receive further examination, medical care, shelter, behavioral treatment and enrich- ment. “Despite being a felony in every state, dogfighting still occurs all over the country, resulting in the suffering of countless vul- nerable animals. The ASPCA is dedicated to putting an end to this horrific cycle of cru- elty and bringing its victims to safety,” said Teresa Ladner, vice president of ASPCA Criminal Practice & Investigations, in the statement. “We are deeply grateful to the agencies involved in this complex and multi- faceted rescue operation for pursuing jus- tice for these animals and ensuring they receive the critical care they so urgently need.” According to a year-end city council po- lice report based on data from the National Incident-Based Reporting System, Dallas ended 2025 with 141 animal cruelty offenses reported within the city limits, down from 150 in 2024. Jones was unable to say whether animal cruelty is trending in one direction or an- other in the city, but did say the multifaceted response seen this week should offer hope for the future. “We know that in the future, if something like this happens again, that without any hesitation whatsoever, we have the collabor- ative spirit, and we also have the expertise to partner together and save these dogs from their situation,” Jones said. SPCA of Texas Dallas Animal Services is regularly near or over capacity with dogs.
