Heat Related Puppy Death Leads to Felony Arrests in Palestine

EAST TEXAS — A puppy died from alleged extreme heat exposure Tuesday afternoon in Palestine, leading to the arrest of two women now charged with a third degree felony.

Just before 4 PM on July 21, officers with the Palestine Police Department and Animal Control were called to a home in the 200 block of W. Park after a caller alleged a puppy was locked inside a cage that was placed directly in the sun with no shade or water. When officers arrived, they found the dog already deceased.

Police stated they identified the owners as Daisy Guity, 29, and Lisbeth Guity, 31, both of Palestine. According to investigators, the women told officers they put the puppy in the cage around 1 PM before leaving the residence. The heat index in Palestine on Tuesday climbed well above 100 degrees, creating dangerous conditions for animals left outdoors without protection.

Both women were taken into custody and charged with Cruelty to Non‑Livestock Animal, a third‑degree felony. They were booked into the Anderson County Jail without incident. Police stated the dog was transported to Texas A&M University for a necropsy to determine the official cause of death.

Palestine Police Chief Mark Harcrow urged residents to take animal safety seriously during the ongoing Texas heat.

“It is the responsibility of pet owners to ensure the safety and wellbeing of their pets,” Harcrow said. “We are experiencing extreme heat in this Texas summer. Anyone that is found to not be providing adequate shade and water to their pets will be arrested and prosecuted.”

Anderson County Criminal District Attorney Allyson Mitchell echoed that stance, saying her office intends to pursue justice in the case.

“Inexcusable crimes against animals that rely on humans to care for them will not be tolerated in our community,” Mitchell said. “The DA’s office looks forward to working with the PPD to bring justice for this animal.”

All suspects are innocent unless proven guilty in a court of law.