Sign: Tyler Men Accused of Hanging Dog From Tree to Dodge Rent Hike

Published: April 20, 2026 at 05:15 PM Author: Lead Investigative Writer

Tyler, Texas – Two men in Tyler, Texas, are accused of a horrific crime that claimed the life of an innocent dog. According to the Smith County Sheriff’s Office, Billy Darnell Perry, 33, and Jay Heath Stansberry, 17, used a leash to hang a white dog from the limb of a tree on private property near County Road 314, causing the dog’s death. The men told investigators that they killed the dog because “their landlord threatened to raise the rent due to the number of dogs inside the rental home.”

The manner in which this dog lost his life is heartbreaking. According to an arrest affidavit, Stansberry told investigators that Perry used the dog’s own leash to hang it from a tree after first attempting to strangle it. He also admitted to holding the dog’s leg while Perry carried out the act.

This dog likely followed his killers happily into the woods, unaware that they would soon betray him in the worst possible way.

These men made the deliberate decision to kill an innocent dog to avoid the possibility of paying more rent. They did not turn the dog over to a shelter or a rescue agency. They did not give the dog to a friend. They did not do anything sane, rational, OR legal. 

If you are heartsick over this cruel incident, please add your name to the petition to help Animal Victory ensure that these men are held accountable for their deplorable actions.

Decision Maker: Smith County District Attorney, Jacob Putman

Texas Animal Welfare Laws 2025

Why This Petition Matters

Stansberry and Perry made a deliberate decision to heartlessly kill an innocent dog because they were trying to avoid the possibility of their rent being increased. This dog suffered an inhumane, painful death because of these men and we demand that they face the maximum penalty by law for the charges stemming from this cruel incident. We further demand that both men be prohibited from owning or living with animals in the future.

Note: Stansberry and Perry are being held in the Smith County Jail on $100,000 bond each.

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Based on reports from authorities, details may change. All suspects are presumed innocent until proven guilty. Images may be illustrative.

Update 9/21/2026: A Texas judge has rejected proposed plea agreements for two men charged in the hanging death of a dog in Tyler.

Judge Heaton declined to accept the agreements offered to Billy Darnell Perry, 33, and Jay Heath Stansberry, 17, after hearing details of the case in court. The proposed deals called for eight years of probation, a prohibition on owning dogs, and the maximum number of community-service hours. The judge said he would not follow the agreements, and the same terms offered to Stansberry were also rejected.

The proposed plea deals have been rejected, but the case is not over. We will continue to follow the proceedings and advocate for justice for this dog.

Update: Animal Victory sent petition to the DA on August 15, 2026. 

Update: Jay Heath Stansberry, Case#475-1040-26. The arraignment hearing is scheduled for 08/11/2026 before Judge Taylor Heaton in the 475 Judicial Court District. He has been charged with a third-degree felony – Cruelty to a non-livestock animal – Kill/poison. A plea docket hearing is scheduled for 09/21/2026 at 9:00 a.m. His pre-trial is scheduled for 10/19/2026 at 9:00 a.m. and his trial is scheduled for 10/27/2026 at 9:00 a.m.

Billy Darnell Perry, Case #475-1039-26, has also been charged with a third-degree felony – Cruelty to a non-livestock animal – Kill/poison. His arraignment hearing is scheduled for 08/11/2026 before Judge Taylor Heaton in the 475 Judicial Court District. He has been charged with a third-degree felony – Cruelty to a non-livestock animal – Kill/poison. A plea docket hearing is scheduled for 09/21/2026 at 9:00 a.m. His pre-trial is scheduled for 10/19/2026 at 9:00 a.m. and his trial is scheduled for 10/27/2026 at 9:00 a.m.

Update: There is no case number established for this case as of yet. Billy Darnell Perry is incarcerated at the Smith County, Tx jail. His Booking number is: B26-02744. 

Jay Heath Stansberry is not in custody. The most recent reliable information found confirms that he was arrested on April 14, 2026, booked into the Smith County Jail, and initially held on a $100,000 bond on a charge of Cruelty to Non-Livestock Animals (torture).

No district attorney has been assigned to this case, as of yet.

Update: Both men are currently held in the Smith County Jail on $100,000 bond each. The investigation is continuing, and the case is being forwarded to the prosecutor’s office. Because this is a felony charge in Texas, it must go before a Grand Jury before a formal case number and court date are assigned. The indictment is expected by approximately mid-July 2026, within the 90-day window from the date of arrest.