When deputies spoke to the man at his home, he acknowledged that he had taken the cats to a veterinary clinic in Beaumont and paid for them to be spayed.
LUMBERTON, Texas — A Lumberton man has been accused of animal cruelty after his neighbors accused him of spaying their cats without their permission.
Deputies from the Hardin County Sheriff’s Office were sent to a home in the 100 block of Rolling Hills Dr. in Lumberton on Sunday, February 2, 2025, to take a report of possible animal cruelty, according to a probable cause affidavit filed by the sheriff’s office.
The complainant told deputies that he discovered fresh injuries on the abdomens of his female cats, indicating that they had been spayed. He told deputies he was suspicious of his neighbor, Timothy Paul Fountain, 34. He told deputies that, when confronted, Fountain allegedly admitted to taking the cats to a veterinarian for the procedure. The complainant recorded this conversation on his cell phone.
When deputies spoke to Fountain at his home, he acknowledged that he had taken the cats to a veterinary clinic in Beaumont and paid for them to be spayed, according to the affidavit. He told deputies that he considered the cats to be strays since they were often seen roaming outside. However, he also admitted that he was aware the complainant, his neighbor, owned the cats, noting the approximate dates they were brought home and stating that he had previously returned them to their owner after finding them outside.
Based on the physical evidence and Fountain’s admission, deputies concluded that he “intentionally and knowingly” caused bodily injury to the animals without the owner’s consent which can be classed as Cruelty to Non-Livestock Animals. The charge is a Class A misdemeanor offense.
Authorities have not yet disclosed further legal proceedings or potential penalties Fountain may face. The case remains under investigation.
This is a developing story. We will update with more if and when we receive more confirmed information.