Sadistic Animal Shelter Employee Killed Dozens Of Innocent Kittens At Facility

Published: August 23, 2023 at 05:29 AM Author: PENNY EIMS

Weatherford, TX – A former employee of the Weatherford Parker County Animal Shelter is accused of killing an estimated 80 kittens at the facility. The authorities have identified 21-year-old Gabriel Skyler Caswell as the person responsible for the innocent kittens’ deaths.

Caswell started working at the shelter facility in February 2023 and he was terminated on July 14. During that span of time, there were 80 “unexplained” kitten deaths.

In June, after noticing an unusual number of kitten deaths, the shelter instigated an internal investigation, including a review of the shelter’s surveillance video; the footage was shocking. Weatherford Police Sgt. Tiffany Vanzant commented about what the footage revealed:

“It’s something we don’t want to have to put out there in detail, but it’s just enough for these kittens to have died… so it’s graphic in nature. We’re all shocked and disgusted by this case.”

Caswell was captured on video physically abusing kittens. One instance involved a black kitten who was beaten so severely that the spine was severed.

Footage from a different day captured Caswell beating a different kitten multiple times. A week later he beat the kitten to death – discarding the body in the trash the next day.

Staff and employees at the shelter are heartsick over the kitten deaths. Dustin Deel, Weatherford Director of Municipal and Community Services, said:

“Our shelter team of staff and volunteers take a lot of pride in the love and care that we provide to the animals that visit our shelter. For something like this to happen is unfathomable.”

Gabriel Skyler Caswell was arrested twice in July on animal cruelty warrants. He is currently free on bond. Please add your name to the petition to help us put this man behind bars for as long as possible!

We the undersigned demand that Gabriel Skyler Caswell face the maximum punishment for each and every charge stemming from the kitten deaths at the Weatherford Parker County Animal Shelter between February 2023, and July 2023. It takes a truly sadistic person to intentionally hurt and kill innocent, vulnerable kittens. Caswell must be punished severely enough to prevent him from ever harming another living being and he must never be allowed to work with, or live with, animals in the future.

Individuals are presumed innocent until found guilty in a court of law. Animal Victory relies upon the authorities and the court system to determine guilt or innocence.

News

Weatherford Democrat

Fox 7 Austin

MEDIA RELEASE – City of Weatherford Animal Shelter_202308102043291677

Update March 20, 2025: Just in! Gabriel Caswell has been sentenced to MORE time in prison after pleading guilty to 12 remaining charges. This week, Caswell was sentenced to 40 years in prison. The sentences will run concurrently but will be stacked on top of the 30 years he had already received in three previous trials, Parker County District Attorney Jeff Swain said. Animal Victory is thrilled with this impressive sentence, and we thank everyone who helped to make it possible!

Final update 9/17/2024: VICTORY!!! Animal Victory is thrilled to announce the sentencing of Gabriel Caswell! On September 11, Caswell was sentenced to 10 years in prison – the maximum sentence for his crimes! He is also ordered to pay over $20,000 in fees/fines. We thank each and every person who signed our petition, helping us achieve this incredible victory. Together, we will continue our quest to end animal cruelty. Please see linked PDF for details of Caswell’s sentencing. 

Update 11/30/2023: Animal Victory sent petition to the attorney and judge.

Update 11/28/2023: Gabriel Caswell has an arraignment hearing on December 6, 2023 at 9:00 a.m. C.S.T. at the 43rd District Court.

Update 11/21/2023: On November 16, 2023, a Parker County grand jury indicted Gabriel Skyler Caswell on 15 counts of animal cruelty. District Attorney Jeff Swain said, “If Mr. Caswell is convicted of cruelty to non-livestock animals, he will face a sentence of two to 10 years in prison and a fine of up to $10,000, His cases were assigned to the 43rd District Court, Judge Craig Towson presiding.” A court date has not been set yet. 

Update 10/24/2023: Gabriel Caswell does not have a case number because he has not been indicted by a grand jury yet. 

Update 10/16/2023: Caswell has been charged with 32 separate cases of cruelty and remains out of jail on bond.

Update 9/6/2023: Gabriel Carswell posted bond – bond was set at $25,000 on one charge, and $10,000 on the second charge. Investigation Record number: I230001794.

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