Woman indicted in stolen dogs scheme

A Montgomery County grand jury has indicted a Houston woman accused of operating a dog transport business as a guise to sell stolen dogs.

Tiara Alsaid, 26, was arrested Aug. 31 during a traffic stop in The Woodlands where four injured dogs were discovered in the back of a U-Haul. Alsaid is facing charges of animal cruelty and theft, according to the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office. She also had outstanding drug warrants in Brazos County, the sheriff ’s office said.

Sgt. Lee Knudsen with the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office said some of the dogs left in Alsaid’s care are valued at thousands of dollars.

Alsaid, who is currently out on bond, is expected to appear before 9th state District Judge Phil Grant at 1:30 Monday. Alsaid’s attorney Carolyn Okorafor could not be reached for comment.

During a search of the U-Haul, which was also reported stolen, the deputy discovered multiple injured and malnourished dogs, one suffering from a serious back injury with exposed flesh, Knudsen said. The injury to the dog is believed to be caused by a chemical burn, Knudsen said. The dogs were in kennels in their own urine and feces with no food or water.

Information on the status of the dogs found in the U-Haul was not available.

Several law enforcement agencies are investigating Alsaid, who is suspected of running a business that claims to transport dogs cross-country, but instead sells them, authorities said. Further information about the business, and what Alsaid apparently told customers, was not available.

Detectives with the Houston Police Department, the animal shelter and Montgomery County Precinct 2 Cruelty to Animals Investigator are assisting in the investigation.

Grand jurors indicted Alsaid on Tuesday.