Two Arrested After Dogs Die in Hot Transport Van at Kyle Boarding Facility

Tragic Deaths Spark Criminal Investigation

Two dogs died from heat stroke after spending hours trapped in a cargo van without air conditioning, leading to the arrest of a boarding facility owner and employee in Kyle, Texas. On August 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 victims included Kali, whose owners were celebrating their wedding and honeymoon out of state, and Esmée, whose owner received a devastating text that her pet was being "rushed to the vet." The affidavits detail how the owners of one of the dogs, named Kali, were out of state, traveling for their wedding and honeymoon in August 2024. According to the affidavits, the family member said Zwerneman relayed that Kali had been taken to an emergency veterinary clinic due to "overheating." Both families discovered their beloved pets had already died upon arrival at the emergency clinic.

According to the Hays County Sheriff's Office, an investigation into EZ Dog Stay and Play, a dog boarding facility in unincorporated Kyle, began in August 2024. This came after the deaths of two dogs earlier that month. The eight-month investigation revealed a disturbing pattern that extended far beyond this single tragic incident.

Pattern of Neglect and Deceptive Practices

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. The investigation uncovered that the transportation vehicles lacked proper climate control systems, creating deadly conditions for the animals in their care.

Beyond the unsafe transport conditions, investigators discovered that EZ Dog Stay and Play had been misleading customers about their services. 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.

These deceptive practices painted a picture of a business prioritizing profit over pet safety, with owners trusting their animals to care standards that simply didn't exist. The facility's lack of fire suppression systems, combined with the owner's false claims of on-site supervision, created additional safety risks for boarded animals.

Legal Consequences and Ongoing Concerns

Both Zwerneman and Roberts turned themselves into the Hays County Jail on April 17, 2026. Cruelty to Non-Livestock Animal Causing Serious Bodily Injury or Death, third-degree felony (2 counts) Cruelty to Non-Livestock Animal by Cruel or Unusual Transport, class-A misdemeanor · Deceptive business practice, class-A misdemeanor (3 counts) He was released on a $14,000 bond. Cruelty to Non-Livestock Animal Causing Serious Bodily Injury or Death, third-degree felony (2 counts) Cruelty to Non-Livestock Animal by Cruel or Unusual Transport, class-A misdemeanor · Roberts was released on an $8,000 bond.

Despite the serious charges and tragic deaths, EZ Dog Stay and Play remains open. Despite the arrests, EZ Dog Stay and Play is still in operation. This raises significant concerns for pet owners in the Kyle area who may unknowingly entrust their animals to a facility with documented safety violations and a history of deceptive practices.

The case highlights the critical importance of thoroughly vetting pet care facilities and understanding the actual conditions animals will experience. Pet owners who believe their animals may have been harmed while in the care of the facility are encouraged to contact Detective Jessica Barkley at jessica.barkley@hayscountytx.gov. As this investigation continues, it serves as a stark reminder that pet owners must advocate for transparency and safety standards when choosing boarding and transport services for their beloved companions.