Target: Jason Barrett, Prosecuting Attorney for the 18th West Judicial District, Arkansas
Goal: Seek the toughest lawful sentence, lifelong animal-ownership ban, and full restitution for the five defendants accused of keeping more than 100 animals in horrific conditions.
Authorities descended on a remote 40-acre tract after multiple cruelty complaints and discovered an alleged scene of misery: over 100 dogs, sugar gliders, guinea pigs, and cats confined in squalor. Rescuers said many of the animals were crammed into filthy cages, some without adequate food, water, or shelter. Several dogs were apparently so malnourished that every rib showed, while small mammals were found in enclosures reeking of waste.
Five individuals were arrested and are facing charges related to cruelty to animals. As reported, the seizures required a coordinated “massive search and seizure effort,” with local fire departments, emergency management, churches, and a network of rescues working around the clock to remove, triage, and house the terrified survivors. Veterinary teams are now apparently contending with severe dehydration, parasite infestations, and untreated wounds.
Such large-scale suffering demands a strong legal response. A lenient plea deal would send the wrong message and risk repeat offenses. Sign below to demand significant penalties, mandatory mental-health intervention, and a permanent prohibition on possessing animals for anyone involved in the apparent mistreatment of these animals.
PETITION LETTER:
Dear Prosecutor Barrett,
Dozens of first responders and rescue volunteers reportedly labored for hours to remove more than 100 dogs, sugar gliders, guinea pigs, and cats from a rural property in your district. According to witness accounts, many animals were confined in cramped, waste-soaked cages, suffering from apparent starvation, dehydration, and untreated injuries.
Five suspects have been arrested in connection with this alleged cruelty. The scope of the neglect, the number of vulnerable species affected, and the resources required for their rehabilitation illustrate the gravity of this case. Community members and rescuers alike are looking to your office to ensure that justice is served.
We respectfully urge you to pursue the maximum penalties allowable under Arkansas law, to request court-ordered restitution for the rescue groups now caring for these animals, to secure mandatory psychological counseling for the defendants, and to seek lifelong bans on animal ownership. Such decisive action will honor the resilience of these animals and help deter similar acts of cruelty in the future.
Sincerely,
[Your Name Here]
Photo credit: Tabitha Favor
