A Houston-area man has been sentenced to 10 years in prison after pleading guilty to felony animal cruelty in a case involving a five-month-old puppy named Jinx.
Carrick Green, 44, was accused of suspending the young dog in the air by a leash and collar around his neck. According to authorities, Jinx cried and struggled for about 45 seconds before going limp. The case was investigated by the Harris County Constable Precinct One Animal Cruelty Unit in partnership with the Houston SPCA.
Jinx Was Only Five Months Old
The abuse happened in July 2025.
Authorities said Jinx was already underweight and severely injured when the incident occurred. Investigators reported that the puppy suffered internal injuries and a shattered femur in addition to injuries associated with being suspended by the neck.
The damage to his leg was so severe that veterinarians later had to partially amputate it.
The original case came to authorities after someone reported what they had witnessed. Green was arrested on an animal cruelty warrant on July 28, 2025, following the joint investigation.
Jinx Survived
Despite the severity of his injuries, Jinx survived.
He received veterinary treatment through the Houston SPCA, recovered from his injuries, and was eventually adopted into a new home.
For a story that began with such serious abuse, Jinx’s recovery is the part worth holding onto. He was given medical care, time to heal, and eventually another chance at life with a family.
Carrick Green Sentenced to 10 Years
Green pleaded guilty to felony animal cruelty and was sentenced in August 2026 to 10 years in the Texas Department of Criminal Justice.
Authorities also said that when deputies arrested Green in 2025, they found a handgun inside his backpack. He received another 10-year sentence for unlawful firearm possession by a felon. Recent reporting says the sentences are being served concurrently.
The sentence brings a legal conclusion to an animal cruelty case that began more than a year earlier.
One Person Reporting the Abuse Made a Difference
There is another part of Jinx’s story that should not be overlooked: someone spoke up.
A witness reported the abuse, which ultimately led authorities to investigate, remove Jinx from the situation, and provide him with veterinary care.
Animal cruelty investigations often begin this way. The Harris County District Attorney’s Office says tips to law enforcement or animal welfare organizations are one of the most common ways suspected cruelty cases come to the attention of investigators.
That does not mean people should make assumptions based on every unusual situation they see. But when an animal appears to be in immediate danger, is being intentionally harmed, or shows serious signs of neglect, reporting what happened can allow trained authorities to investigate.
Angel Jake’s Take
Jinx’s story is painful, but it also shows exactly why speaking up matters.
A five-month-old puppy had no way to remove himself from a dangerous situation. He could not call for help, find a veterinarian, or explain what had happened to him.
Someone else had to notice.
Someone else had to say something.
And in this case, that decision helped give Jinx a chance to survive.
What happened to him cannot be undone. But his story did not end there. He received treatment, recovered, and eventually found a new home.
For Angel Jake, that is the part we hope people remember too: reporting suspected cruelty can matter, and sometimes one person choosing not to look away can completely change an animal’s future.
Jinx Has a New Home
Authorities say Jinx has recovered and has since been adopted.
His case is now also a reminder of the role that animal cruelty investigators, veterinarians, rescue organizations, and ordinary members of the public can play when an animal is in danger.
In Harris County, the District Attorney’s Office directs people who suspect animal cruelty to law enforcement or animal welfare authorities, including the Houston SPCA cruelty hotline. Harris County also operates a centralized Animal Cruelty Taskforce reporting system designed to help residents reach the appropriate agency.
Jinx survived. He recovered. And now, he has another chance.