SAN LEON, Texas – A woman is facing multiple animal cruelty charges after authorities with the Galveston County Sheriff’s Office said a total of 60 dead animals were removed from a property in San Leon.
Julia Szebehely, 63, is charged with ten counts of cruelty to non-livestock animals and one count of cruelty to livestock animals. Her bond is set at $16,500.
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The sheriff’s office said they received the first call about the situation on Sept. 7, when they responded to the 800 block of 29th Street in San Leon. They were assisting the Galveston County Health District Animal Services. which reported multiple dead cats were at the property.
Deputies found the property and home in “deplorable” condition. An emaciated horse was also found at the back of the property.
“The Houston Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) responded to assist with the overall investigation and seized the horse and two deceased cat carcasses. A total of 16 cat carcasses were removed from the property, including the seizure of 4 live cats.” the sheriff’s office said.
In a follow-up investigation on Sept. 17, a total of 42 animal carcasses were located and examined from the property.
“Throughout the investigation, a total of 60 deceased animals were removed from the property. A majority of the deceased animals were located inside locked kennels, crates, and traps,” the sheriff’s office said.
The Galveston County District Attorney’s Office was contacted and charges were accepted against Szebehely.
She was arrested by the Sheriff’s Office Warrant Division. She is currently out on bond.