HOUSTON — A Baytown man arrested in June and charged in a horrific animal abuse case was no-billed by a Harris County grand jury on Dec. 1.
They refused to indict Justin Reilly Belton, 44, on four counts of cruelty to animals.
Belton was accused of torturing and mutilating six puppies, according to court records.
When officers searched the home they found six puppies badly injured puppies and an adult dog, believed to be the mother of the puppies, dead.
The puppies were taken to an animal hospital where one had to be euthanized.
The grand jury heard testimony that another animal could have caused their injuries.
Other dogs found in unsanitary conditions were also removed from the home, according to prosecutors.
Belton's hearing in June had to be reset because the public defender refused to take his case calling it too disturbing.