On December 29, Big Dog Ranch Rescue was alerted to extreme animal cruelty at an East Texas breeding operation known as Giant German Shepherd Ranch, owned by Kristine Hicks. We acted immediately.
Because Big Dog Ranch Rescue formed a new Federal Animal Cruelty Task Force in December, this case was elevated without delay to the highest levels of government. That task force includes U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi, Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins, Lara Trump, Secretary of Health Robert F. Kennedy Jr., Big Dog Ranch Rescue President Lauree Simmons, and Blair Brandt.
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Based on their findings, the dogs were deemed unsafe to remain on the property and had to be removed immediately. This breeder showed no conscience for the animals unless they were filling her pockets. Dogs she no longer had use for were brutally killed in an effort to hide evidence.
Within days of BDRR’s alert, federal agents from the FBI and the U.S.D.A. executed a search warrant at the 80-acre ranch in Hopkins County, Texas. More than 100 dogs were believed to be on the property. What federal authorities uncovered was horrifying.​​
​Our transport bus was 18 hours away, so BDRR immediately called on rescue partners to intervene. Saving Hopestepped in on a moment’s notice, fitting 23 dogs into vans and personal vehicles. The remaining dogs were taken in by Dallas SPCA and other rescue partners. BDRR’s transport team picked up the majority of the dogs Saturday night and brought them here to safety.
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88 dogs are now free.
This case exists because of courage. A brave whistleblower employee came forward and reported the abuse to the Hopkins County Sheriff, risking everything to speak on behalf of the dogs. Advocates refused to let the evidence be ignored. And yet, despite the severity of the cruelty, this breeder was initially charged with only one count of animal cruelty, bonded out the next day, and continued killing dogs.​
​But our rescue efforts didn't stop there.
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Our transport bus went back to rescue 64 more German Shepherds, and during that follow-up trip, 27 puppies were discovered hidden on another property, left in unsafe conditions. Thankfully, all of these dogs and puppies are now safe at Big Dog Ranch Rescue, where each will receive medical treatment, care, and the second chance they always deserved.
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We want to thank U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi, including her team at the DOJ; Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins and John Walk with their teams at the USDA; and BDRR President Lauree Simmons for stepping in swiftly, securing evidence, and ensuring the remaining dogs were finally safe.
We also extend our gratitude to the incredible team at Dallas SPCA for caring for the dogs until we could bring the last of the 64 remaining to BDRR. One more trip is planned to rescue two moms with their puppies who are too young to travel safely.​
This is exactly why legislation matters.
This is why federal oversight matters. This is why Big Dog Ranch Rescue fights so hard to hold bad breeders accountable. Good breeders do not do this. Ever. And there are thousands more like her operating under the radar, never inspected, never stopped.
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We are proud of the Federal Animal Cruelty Task Force for stepping in swiftly, securing evidence, and ensuring the dogs still living are finally safe. We will be proposing Kerra’s Law, named for the dog whose brutal death was captured on video and brought this cruelty to light.
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Justice takes time. But this case is now in federal hands and there will be justice for Kerra and for every dog who lost their life. If you know breeders committing abuse or crimes, SPEAK UP!
Healing & Recovery
Now at BDRR, these sweet German Shepherds are running freely, receiving medical care, and finally experiencing the love and stability they were denied for so long. From the moment they arrived, they have shown incredible forgivenessand gentle spirits ready for a second chance. Each day brings healing and moves them closer to the forever homes they deserve. 💙 We couldn’t have done this without the incredible support of our community. Every dollar donated goes directly toward helping dogs like these heal, recover, and find loving homes.
Over 100+ of these precious German Shepherds will be ready for adoption in just two weeks.