Baytown Man Charged With Felony Animal Cruelty After Puppy Found Injured in Dumpster

BAYTOWN, Texas – A Baytown man has been arrested and charged with felony animal cruelty after a shepherd-mix puppy was found critically injured inside an apartment complex dumpster, Harris County Constable Precinct One Alan Rosen announced.

Antonio Runyon, 31, was taken into custody Thursday by detectives with Precinct One’s Animal Cruelty Unit, with assistance from the Baytown Police Department. He is charged with the third-degree felony offense of animal cruelty for allegedly intentionally injuring the dog in front of his apartment in the 3500 block of Decker Road.

The puppy was recovered January 31 beneath a couch inside a dumpster at the complex. Constable Precinct One’s Animal Cruelty Unit coordinated with the Houston Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals in the recovery.

“With animal ownership comes animal responsibility and we are never going to tolerate brutality,” Constable Rosen said.

Authorities noted that Runyon was convicted in 2024 of misdemeanor assault of a family member and sentenced to six days in jail.

Constable Rosen urged the public to report suspected animal cruelty to the Houston SPCA at 713-869-7722.

“If you see something, say something,” Rosen said. “Together we can keep animals safer.”