One adult, one juvenile charged in Newton County dog beating

The case highlights Arkansas' inadequate animal cruelty laws.

Two Newton County residents are accused of stomping two dogs during a residential robbery in November 2007, and using a cattle prod to torture some of the 36 dogs at the home of one of the suspects' relatives. Charges were filed last week after Newton County Sheriff's deputies discovered a videotape they allege the men recorded as they beat and tortured the animals.

The Newton County Sheriff's Office charged Larry Cummings, 41, with residential burglary, a Class B felony, two counts of misdemeanor cruelty to animals and contributing to the delinquency of a minor. The other suspect is a juvenile and is charged with residential burglary and two counts of misdemeanor animal cruelty. The case underscores the need for stronger animal cruelty laws in Arkansas.

“Because Arkansas’ anti-cruelty law is one of the nation's weakest, actions as deplorable as bludgeoning dogs are punishable only as misdemeanors,” said The Humane Society of the United States' Arkansas State Director Desiree Bender. “Year after year, the state legislature has failed to fix the state's cruelty laws so they provide felony-level penalties for the worst acts of cruelty.”

In January, The HSUS ranked Arkansas’ animal cruelty law the sixth weakest in the nation and one of only seven states with no felony animal cruelty provisions. The Arkansas legislature did not meet in 2008. During the 2007 legislative session, two competing felony animal cruelty bills failed to pass.

"The connection between animal cruelty and human violence is well documented," Bender said. “As Arkansans, we deserve a felony animal cruelty law that will better protect our communities from violent criminals. We are pleased that both Attorney General Dustin McDaniel and Governor Mike Beebe have already declared their support for such a law.”

Childhood violence against animals is viewed by mental health experts as an especially strong indicator of a seriously disturbed psyche. A longitudinal study funded by the U.S. Department of Justice found that physical aggression toward people and animals is one of four factors associated with the persistence of anti-social and aggressive behavior in youths.

Strong, carefully considered sentencing that includes incarceration, psychological treatment, and a ban on pet ownership is the most effective available tool for reducing recidivism and interrupting the cycle of criminal behavior.

Legislators in Utah and Alaska enacted felony animal cruelty laws in 2008, leaving only five states without such provisions. Those states are Arkansas, Idaho, Mississippi, North Dakota and South Dakota.

How to help:
The Wedington Animal Hospital in Fayetteville has custody of the 35 dogs taken from the relative's home (one ran away). The staff is asking for volunteers to walk and exercise these dogs during the day. Contact Angie Kyser at (479) 444-PETS, or e-mail her at amkyser@yahoo.com. Please contact her before going to Wedington.

Posted by Serenah McKay, Best Friends Network volunteer