Staff Report
KYLE — The Hays County Sheriff’s Office arrested two individuals following an investigation of the death of two dogs that were in the care of EZ Dog Stay and Play, located in unincorporated Kyle.
The investigation, which started in August 2024, by the HCSO Animal Control Unit and Criminal Investigations Division (CID) uncovered a pattern of unsafe animal transport conditions and deceptive business practices used to mislead the facility's customers.
On Aug. 20, 2024, two dogs being transported by EZ Dog Stay and Play employee Taylor Roberts, 25, of Dale, died after spending several hours in the rear area of a cargo van without adequate air conditioning or ventilation. Both animals arrived deceased at an Austin emergency veterinary clinic, with a recorded body temperature of 110 degrees Fahrenheit — the maximum reading on the clinic's thermometer — and veterinary staff determined both dogs died of heat stroke.
The investigation revealed that the van used to transport the dogs lacked proper climate control in the area where the animals were carried. Furthermore, multiple former employees had raised concerns about unsafe transportation conditions to the business owner — Evan Zwerneman, 35, of Elgin, prior to this incident; however, the owner failed to adequately address those concerns.
Through site inspections by animal control officers, it was further revealed that Zwerneman advertised transportation and boarding services that did not reflect the actual conditions animals experienced while in the facility’s care. The false and misleading representations to customers included advertising "kennel free suite" options that did not exist. Zwerneman also claimed he resided on the property to provide continuous oversight of boarded animals, particularly notable due to the lack of fire suppression systems, however this was determined to be false.
As a result of the investigation, HCSO CID obtained warrants on Zwerneman and Roberts and both surrendered themselves to the Hays County Jail April 17, 2026.
Zwerneman was charged as follows and released on a total bond of $14,000.
- Cruelty to non-livestock animal causing serious bodily injury or death, third-degree felony (two counts)
- Cruelty to non-livestock animal by cruel or unusual transport, Class A misdemeanor
- Deceptive business practice, Class A misdemeanor (three counts)
Roberts was charged as follows and released on a total bond of $8,000.
- Cruelty to non-livestock animal causing serious bodily injury or death, third-degree felony (two counts)
- Cruelty to non-livestock animal by cruel or unusual transport, Class A misdemeanor
EZ Dog Stay and Play remains in operation. Pet owners who believe their animals may have been harmed while in the care of EZ Dog Stay and Play or anyone with information related to this case are encouraged to contact Detective Jessica Barkley at [email protected].
