Kirbyville Man Arrested on Livestock Cruelty Charge After Repeated Complaints

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Donald Lewis, 82, of Kirbyville, faces a cruelty to livestock charge following an investigation by the Jasper County Sheriff’s Office.

JASPER COUNTY, Texas — A Kirbyville man was arrested Monday afternoon following multiple reports of livestock neglect, according to Jasper County Sheriff Chuck Havard.

Sheriff Havard stated that on January 12, 2026, at approximately 12:40 p.m., his office was notified of a possible livestock neglect case on County Road 406 in Kirbyville. Deputies were immediately dispatched to the location.

According to the sheriff, deputies had been deployed to the same property several times over the past several days in response to ongoing complaints involving the animal. During those visits, deputies made contact with the livestock owner and explained his legal responsibilities under Texas law.

The owner was identified as Donald Lewis, 82, of Kirbyville.

Sheriff Havard said the man refused to cooperate with deputies and became irate and rude during their attempts to gain compliance. Despite this, deputies continued efforts to help both the owner and the animal.

In an effort that went beyond normal expectations, one deputy personally purchased a bag of feed with his own money in an attempt to help nourish the animal until proper veterinary care could be provided, according to the sheriff.

Later that afternoon, deputies received another complaint. After determining that no further attempts had been made by the owner to care for the animal, deputies placed Lewis under arrest for Cruelty to a Livestock Animal, a misdemeanor offense, and transported him to the Jasper County Jail.

Following consultation with a veterinarian, the Jasper County Livestock Officer euthanized the animal due to its condition.

“It’s unfortunate that this gentleman would not cooperate or take his responsibilities as a livestock owner seriously,” Sheriff Havard said. “We bent over backwards trying to help him, and he flatly refused to comply.”

Sheriff Havard emphasized that his office remains committed to addressing criminal activity and animal cruelty within Jasper County.