Target: Debra Buschman, Prosecuting Attorney, Montgomery County, Arkansas
Goal: File and pursue the toughest available felony animal-cruelty charges, plus lifetime animal-ownership bans, against all parties who allegedly neglected more than one hundred suffering dogs.
Neighbors’ pleas for help culminated in a dramatic search warrant that reportedly uncovered a sprawling scene of misery: rescuers say they have already found over 100 dogs on one rural property, and authorities suspect the total may exceed 150. Many of the animals were allegedly malnourished, plagued by fleas and ticks, and confined in filthy conditions. According to the warrant, more than twenty complaints about starving or mistreated animals have been logged since 2022, yet the alleged neglect seemingly persisted for years.
Deputies, animal-welfare groups, and veterinarians are now scrambling to remove the dogs, provide urgent medical care, and find them safe shelter. Meanwhile, a male resident was arrested for an unrelated assault on an officer during the raid, but—despite the reported suffering—no cruelty charges have yet been filed. Without swift and decisive prosecution, the individuals seemingly responsible could escape meaningful accountability, and the rescued dogs could be denied justice.
Arkansas law allows felony penalties when cruelty results in prolonged pain, starvation, or death. A robust legal response that includes multiple felony counts, restitution for rescue costs, mandatory psychological counseling, and permanent prohibitions on owning animals is essential to deter future abuse and protect both animals and the community. Demand immediate action from the county prosecutor’s office.
PETITION LETTER:
Dear Prosecutor Buschman,
Deputies executing a search warrant on Smith Creek Road reportedly discovered more than one hundred dogs living in severe neglect—many underweight, parasite-ridden, and confined in unsanitary conditions. The search warrant cites over twenty neighbor complaints, spanning nearly three years, describing chronic starvation and mistreatment on the property. Rescue volunteers on scene have pleaded for medical supplies, further underscoring the animals’ dire state.
Despite these disturbing findings, no animal-cruelty charges have been filed. Failing to prosecute such egregious alleged neglect risks sending a message that large-scale cruelty can persist without serious consequence. Arkansas statutes classify aggravated cruelty as a felony precisely for cases involving extended deprivation and suffering.
We respectfully urge your office to bring the maximum felony animal-cruelty counts against every responsible individual, seek full restitution for veterinary and rescue expenses, require psychological evaluation and counseling, and secure lifetime bans on possessing animals. A vigorous prosecution will honor the resilience of these rescued dogs and reinforce the county’s commitment to protecting vulnerable creatures from harm.
Sincerely,
[Your Name Here]
Photo credit: Piper Dog
