Terence Courts, owner of Flipper’s Pets, a pet store at Lakeway Commons that closed in January 2008, pleaded guilty Dec. 2 to one count of cruelty to animals.

Courts was convicted for leaving a gerbil and squirrel without food, water and care inside the store for four to five days after it closed in January 2008.

Lakeway police officers discovered a dead rabbit and snake among other animals that were placed with rescue organizations Jan. 15, 2008, after receiving a tip from a citizen who suspected that some animals had been abandoned in the store, according to a Jan. 24, 2008, article in the Lake Travis View.
“Several animals and aquatic animals were taken to rescue centers where it is documented the animals suffered from dehydration and malnutrition [before their arrival],” investigators wrote in their arrest affidavit.
Courts, 35, reportedly left an English bulldog puppy in the care of a Domino’s Pizza employee, and a veterinarian determined the bulldog suffered scalding on his belly from urine and was covered in fecal matter, according to the affidavit.
The bulldog also suffered a fracture to one of its legs, and two of its legs required surgery.
As part of Court’s plea agreement, four charges of cruelty to animals were dismissed relating to the bulldog puppy, two rabbits and various reptiles.
He was sentenced to 120 days in jail and 50 hours of community service and will not be allowed to own a business that sells or cares for pets.
Courts also was a “pet expert” briefly on talk radio 1370 AM before the pet store closed.