Milam County animal rescue owner arrested after 82 dogs surrendered, sanctuary shut down

CAMERON, Texas (KBTX) - The owner of a Milam County animal rescue has been arrested on an animal cruelty charge after 82 dogs were surrendered and the facility was shut down. [KBTX 2]

A 69-year-old Milam County woman has been charged with animal cruelty following an investigation into her dog rescue operation near Rockdale. Angela Sera, who operated Dogtown Ranch and Sanctuary, was arrested on Oct. 6 after authorities executed a warrant charging her with a Class A misdemeanor offense related to the treatment of animals.

The criminal case emerged from a collaborative investigation involving the Milam County Sheriff's Office and Brandywine Valley SPCA, a Pennsylvania-based animal welfare organization. The probe centered on a pit bull terrier mix named Baby Reina, whose deteriorated condition prompted the formal charges against Sera. Upon surrender to the BVSPCA, veterinary examinations revealed the dog suffered from worms, dehydration, flea and tick infestations, and severe malnutrition, alongside significant longstanding medical and nutritional neglect.

Reina had been examined twice during the investigation process before her surrender. A July inspection by a veterinarian accompanying investigators resulted in a recommendation that Sera seek veterinary care for the animal, though the findings at that time did not establish sufficient grounds for charges. A follow-up examination on Aug. 5 at a Lee County clinic documented that Reina was severely underweight and noted conditions including eye cataracts, dental disease and a resolving staph infection, with instructions for home monitoring. However, no documented treatments were pursued for any of these identified conditions in the weeks between that visit and Reina's eventual surrender.

After BVSPCA staff arrived on the property, they discovered Reina in critical condition—severely emaciated, dehydrated and unresponsive, confined to a metal crate in soiled conditions. The dog was transported to emergency veterinary care and subsequently placed under the sanctuary's ongoing care. "Once we were on the property the first day and met Baby Reina and the other dogs, we knew we couldn't stop until every animal of Dogtown Ranch was guaranteed a brighter future," BVSPCA CEO Adam Lamb said.

As part of a settlement agreement, Sera and Dogtown Ranch surrendered 82 dogs and one horse, with the facility ceasing operations. More than a dozen staff members from the Pennsylvania organization traveled to Texas to assist with animal removals and coordinating placements. Several animals have been transported to Pennsylvania, while others are expected to be placed through partner shelters. Milam County Sheriff Mike Clore said the case would proceed through the court system, noting that Sera "is presumed innocent of the underlying charges unless and until proven otherwise in court."