MARSHALL, Ark., Dec. 21 (UPI) — Police in rural Searcy County, Ark., are investigating the discovery of at least 60 dogs found shot to death.
Arkansas Game and Fish Commission personnel were originally notified of the dead dogs, found off Arkansas Highway 264 in the Chimes/Trace Ridge area in the state’s north-central county. Searcy County Sheriff Joey Pruitt suggested someone brought the dogs to the crime scene, poisoned them and then opened fire.
“Systematically just started shooting and just leaving them laying, and not even making sure that they’re dead,” Pruitt commented, adding none of the dogs wore collars or name tags, and it is unlikely any were pets.
He said anyone responsible could face felony charges, and appealed to the public for information. About 60 dogs either were killed by the gunfire or were so severely injured they were euthanized. Three survived and were taken for treatment.
“I’ve worked with dogs all my life, and I love them a whole bunch, and I just don’t deal well with this, but I’m doing my best so I can save the ones I can. This is my first in 25 years of law enforcement. I’ve never seen anything like this,” said John Magruder of the Searcy County Humane Society.
