A Houston woman checking her home surveillance system says she uncovered something she never expected to see: her husband on video with the family dog. Her report to police has now led to a bestiality charge against 56-year-old Steven Swain, who is accused of an incident involving the family pet, a dog they call Shipley, in November 2025. Court records say Swain faces a felony charge, though he was not in custody at the time of local reporting.
According to FOX 26 Houston, Swain’s wife had installed cameras in the home while contractors were doing work. When she later reviewed recordings, she told investigators she saw footage that prompted her to contact authorities. The station reports that the criminal filing includes graphic descriptions of what prosecutors say happened with Shipley, although the outlet chose not to publish the most explicit passages. FOX 26 identifies Swain by name and age and cites court documents as the basis for its account.
What Court Records Describe
The court filing reviewed by FOX 26 Houston states that Swain’s wife told investigators she was “100% sure” the person in the video was her husband and that the dog shown was Shipley. The documents reportedly spell out the interaction in detail, but the station declined to repeat those specifics, citing the sensitive nature of the allegations. Prosecutors and Houston police had not issued a more detailed public statement tied to the filing at the time of that report.
How Texas Law Handles Bestiality Cases
Texas law treats bestiality as its own offense under Penal Code §21.09, which is generally classified as a state jail felony unless additional aggravating factors are involved. The statute, as published on Justia, outlines what conduct is prohibited. Punishment guidelines for state jail felonies are set out in Justia, which notes a sentencing range of 180 days to two years in a state jail facility and potential fines of up to $10,000, with higher penalties possible if the animal suffers serious bodily injury or other aggravating circumstances are present.
Other Houston Animal-Related Investigations
Houston police have previously handled other animal-related criminal investigations that involve sexual offense allegations. In one 2019 case, an HPD probe led to the seizure of multiple dogs and criminal charges, and it illustrated how specialized units can be pulled in when animals are part of a criminal investigation. Reporting by the Houston Chronicle on that earlier matter described how animal welfare agencies coordinate with investigators when animals are taken into custody and evidence is processed. Advocates and officials have noted that these cases can be emotionally draining for families and stressful for the animals themselves.
The current case involving Swain and Shipley remains under investigation. Prosecutors will determine how to proceed with the felony allegation and what evidence to bring forward at any initial hearings. Authorities have asked anyone who sees Shipley, or who has information that might be relevant, to contact local law enforcement. Official filings and court dockets are expected to reflect the next steps. This story will be updated as prosecutors, police, or court records provide additional details.
