Man Charged With Animal Cruelty After Cats, Spiders and Snakes Found Starved

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

Police and animal control officers in Texarkana, Texas discovered a disturbing scene at a home last Friday, where they found several cats that had resorted to eating each other due to lack of food, along with dead tarantulas, snakes, and an unidentified animal. The home's resident, 48-year-old Bryant Dewayne Savage, was charged with animal cruelty and is currently being held on $200,000 bail.

Why it matters

This case highlights the serious issue of animal neglect and cruelty, which can have devastating consequences for the animals involved. It also raises questions about mental health, living conditions, and the need for better oversight and support systems to prevent such tragedies from occurring.

The details

According to the probable cause affidavit, when police and animal control officers entered Savage's home, they found 15 dead tarantulas, two dead ball pythons, and the remains of what appeared to be other cats that had been eaten by the surviving felines. Savage allegedly told the officers that he only fed the cats when the homeowner, who was living out of town, sent him money, and that it had been a week since the three living cats had been fed.

• On March 4, 2026, police and animal control officers responded to a report of neglected cats at the home.
• On March 6, 2026, Savage was charged with animal cruelty and is currently being held on $200,000 bail.

What’s next

The case has been assigned to 202nd District Judge John Tidwell, who will determine whether to grant Savage bail and set a trial date.