Bexar County deputies arrest apartment tenant after dead dog and malnourished pit bull are found

Arrest follows welfare check prompted by odor complaint

Bexar County deputies arrested a San Antonio apartment tenant after investigators entered a unit and found one dog dead and another severely malnourished, authorities said.

The case began when deputies were dispatched to the 500 block of Mansions Bluff after a report of a strong odor coming from an apartment. Maintenance staff opened the door for deputies, who then entered the unit and discovered the decomposed body of a pit bull along with a second pit bull described as severely malnourished.

What investigators say they found inside the unit

Inside the apartment, deputies located one dog’s remains in an advanced state of decomposition. A second dog was found alive but in poor condition. The scene prompted a criminal investigation that resulted in the tenant being taken into custody.

Authorities identified the tenant as 24-year-old Cameron McKee. Investigators said McKee told deputies the dogs were fine the last time she saw them on New Year’s Day. Sheriff Javier Salazar said the condition of the animals did not support that account.

Charge and potential legal pathway

McKee was booked on a cruelty-to-animals charge that authorities described as a third-degree felony. In Texas, animal cruelty investigations commonly turn on whether an animal was intentionally harmed or whether it suffered from neglect such as lack of food, water, or necessary care. Cases may also involve questions about when the animal was last seen, who had custody, and whether the owner or caretaker had an ability to provide care or seek help.

Investigators typically document conditions through photographs, veterinary assessments, witness interviews and, in cases involving a death, examination of the remains to help establish timing and cause. Those steps can be central to decisions by prosecutors about the exact allegations filed and how the case proceeds in court.

How residents can recognize and report suspected neglect

Animal-welfare cases in apartment settings are often first flagged by neighbors or property staff, with complaints ranging from persistent odors to concerns that an animal has been left unattended. Residents who believe an animal may be in immediate danger are generally advised to contact law enforcement or local animal control so authorities can assess the situation and determine whether entry, seizure, or emergency veterinary care is warranted.

• Location: 500 block of Mansions Bluff, San Antonio
• Animals found: one pit bull deceased; one pit bull alive but severely malnourished
• Arrest: tenant taken into custody after deputies entered the unit with assistance from maintenance staff
• Charge: cruelty to animals (described by authorities as a third-degree felony)

The investigation remains focused on how long the animals were left without adequate care and the circumstances leading to the death and severe malnourishment.

The case is expected to move through the criminal court process, where additional details may emerge through charging documents, evidence disclosures and court hearings.