East Texas Dog Breeder Faces Federal Charges

(KNUE-FM) An East Texas dog breeder has now been indicted after a video popped up on social media showing her shooting and killing a dog that was tied to a tree.

What Led to the Indictment

According to CBS 19, 51-year-old Kristine Michelle Hicks of Hopkins County was seen in the video and has now been indicted on federal charges.

What Charges Is the Breeder Facing?

Davilyn Walston, a spokesperson for the U.S. Department of Justice, said that Hicks has been charged with acting as an animal dealer without a license and four counts of wire fraud. She made her first appearance in federal court on Monday.

Court documents show that in December of 2025, the investigation into Hicks’ breeding facility “Giant German Shepherds” began after a video showed her tying a dog to a tree and shooting the animal three times, killing it.

Investigators also report that between June 2024 and December 2025 Hicks was operating a dog breeding and dog sales business in Hopkins County without a license.

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Conditions Reported at the Facility

The conditions the animals were living in were described as “deplorable.” Most dogs required emergency care due to starvation, parasite-related illnesses, lack of veterinary care, and inadequate shelter from environmental exposure.

Hicks is also accused of misrepresenting her animals, claiming they were registered with the American Kennel Club. She reportedly would promise to provide paperwork but never did. Hicks would sell dogs that were mixed breeds, sourced from other litters, and had diseases or were otherwise unhealthy.

There is no word on when her next court appearance will take place.

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Source: East Texas Dog Breeder Indicted After Disturbing Video