Neglected puppy mill dogs abandoned
Clifty, AR (US)Incident Date: Thursday, May 21, 2009
County: Madison
Disposition: Open
Suspect(s) Unknown - We need your help!
The Madison County Pet Shelter is seeking adoptions for abandoned dogs recently found on the side of the road.
Shelter manager Caren Sharp said two basenjis, three miniature dachshunds, three Shih Tzus, one Yorkie and one schnauzer were found near the border of Washington and Madison counties, near Clifty, on May 21.
"It's the worst dog dumping I've seen," she said. "Four families still have live traps out so they can catch them before the coyotes get to them. Several have already been hit by cars."
Since discovering the dogs, a Yorkie and basenji have already been adopted. The remaining animals are still in need of homes due to the shelter being at full capacity.
Sharp said the abandoned dogs, most of which were microchipped, appear to have come from a breeding facility in Madison County.
"They're all female, except for three," she said. "The third male basenji that came in had a prolapsed rectum. He had to have it surgically inserted where it belongs. We believe is was caused by diarrhea and had been prolapsed for some time. He also had urine burns on the majority of his legs and rope burns around his hind ankles. He'll have to be on pain medication for some time."
In addition to being underweight, several of the dogs had matted fur. They are currently in the process of receiving routine vaccination shots.
Sharp said the dogs will likely be groomed and neutered/spayed before being adopted.
Despite enduring severe neglect, she added, most of the dogs appear to have friendly temperaments.
"The basenji that had the surgery is kind of skittish," she said. "There's also one dachshund that is still petrified. The rest seem very loving and playful. They all get along with each other and none of them seem snarly at all."
Though no arrests have been made, Sharp said she plans to speak with a few people of interest. If convicted, the suspects could face criminal charges for animal neglect. The misdemeanor charge is punishable by up to a year in jail or a fine of up to $1,000.
While animal cruelty in Arkansas is currently treated as a misdemeanor offense, Sharp said the charge will elevate to a felony as of June 12.
According to the Humane Society of the United States, Arkansas will become the 46th state to make cruelty to animals a felony.
The law makes aggravated animal cruelty on first offense punishable by a fine of up to $10,000 and up to six years in prison. The law also includes a five-year sentencing enhancement for anyone convicted of torturing an animal in the presence of a child.
"If you ask me, the penalty should be larger," Sharp said. "Animal neglect in Madison County is a common occurrence because we don't have a county animal control officer. We have a city control officer, which is me, but I also run the shelter. I don't respond to calls in the county, which is where we really need help."
Sharp said pictures and information about the abandoned dogs can be accessed at www.petfinder.com.
The Madison County Pet Shelter is open from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., Tuesday through Saturday.
Those with any information regarding this case can contact Sharp at 479-738-1505. If you have information on this case, please contact:
Madison County Pet Shelter
479-738-1505
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