A 21-year-old man from Bruceville-Eddy, Texas, entered a guilty plea Wednesday to a felony charge of animal cruelty after authorities discovered a severely malnourished dog tethered to a tire outside his home.
William Lee Harris will avoid immediate jail time under a plea deal recommended by McLennan County prosecutors, which calls for seven years of deferred probation and a $1,000 fine. Visiting Judge Roy Sparkman — standing in for 54th State District Judge Susan Kelly — accepted the plea and ordered a background check on Harris before deciding his final punishment. A sentencing date has been set for September 30.
The case began in May 2025, when McLennan County sheriff’s deputies responded to a report of a mistreated dog on Bluebonnet Ridge Lane. According to arrest records, deputies arrived to find a small dog in dire condition — dangerously thin, covered in dirt, and restrained by a wire lead measuring just two feet, with no food or water in sight.
Animal control officers with the City of Waco took custody of the dog following the seizure. A resident at the property identified Harris as the animal’s owner. A veterinary exam later revealed the dog was suffering from heartworms and had lost nearly all muscle and body fat.
Investigators also noted the dog’s coat was matted with waste and showed clear signs of a long-term, untreated flea infestation. The veterinarian who examined the animal concluded it had been kept in unsanitary conditions, deprived of adequate food and water, and subjected to prolonged neglect that rose to the level of cruelty.
When questioned by a detective, Harris admitted he had shortened the dog’s tether himself — reportedly to stop it from wandering onto a neighboring property. Officers also found the animal’s food and water bowls sitting empty, coated in mold, with no indication either had been filled recently. Asked when the dog had last seen a veterinarian, Harris said “it’s been a while, it’s been a long time,” according to arrest documents.