A Houston attorney is now wanted on a felony bestiality charge after his own wife turned over surveillance footage to authorities, allegedly showing him engaging in sexual acts with the family dog inside their west Houston home.
Steven Tyler Swain, 56, has been charged in Harris County’s 183rd District Court under Judge Lance Long following an investigation by Harris County Precinct 1 constables’ deputies.
The case was referred to law enforcement by the Houston SPCA after receiving a complaint earlier this month.
According to court records, the incident captured on video reportedly took place in November 2025 at a residence on Providence Park in the Memorial area of west Houston.
The footage allegedly shows Swain engaging in prohibited sexual conduct with the family’s dog, a pet named Shipley.
His wife is identified in court records as the complainant. She told investigators she installed security cameras inside the home during an ongoing renovation, not expecting what she would eventually find recorded on them.
Upon discovering the footage, she provided the video to authorities and confirmed that both her husband and the dog were visible in the recordings.
Wife Filed for Divorce Days After the Discovery
The wife wasted no time protecting herself and the animal. According to public records reviewed by people following the case online, she filed for divorce on December 1, 2025, and was granted a temporary restraining order around the same time.
The dog, Shipley, has since been removed from the residence and is currently safe in her care.
Harris County prosecutors moved forward with the felony bestiality charge after reviewing the video evidence submitted by the wife. The charge is a serious criminal offense under Texas law, and an arrest warrant has been issued for Swain.
And another one https://t.co/9ghWlBxbZ0
— Martina Navratilova (@Martina) May 22, 2026
As of the most recent reports, he has not yet been taken into custody, making him a wanted person in Harris County.
The case drew public attention after tennis legend Martina Navratilova shared news of the arrest on social media, writing simply “And another one,” referencing a broader pattern of disturbing behavior by people in positions of professional trust and authority.
Swain had been practicing law in Houston, and the charges have shocked the local legal community. Court records do not currently reflect a public statement from any attorney representing him.
Under Texas law and the principles of the American justice system, Swain is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
What Comes Next
With an active arrest warrant, law enforcement will continue efforts to bring Swain into custody. The case is expected to proceed through Harris County’s criminal court system once he is apprehended.
The felony bestiality charge carries significant legal consequences under the Texas Penal Code, which classifies sexual contact with an animal as a state jail felony.
The wife’s decision to install cameras, initially motivated by routine home renovation concerns, ultimately led to the uncovering of alleged criminal behavior that had been taking place inside the family home.
Investigators credit her cooperation as central to building the case against Swain.
Animal welfare advocates and the Houston SPCA are monitoring the situation. Shipley, the dog at the center of the case, is reported to be safe and recovering.
