Arkansas Dog Massacre Leaves 57 Dead, Few Survivors
SEARCY COUNTY, ARK. — A gruesome discovery was made on Thursday afternoon in southern Searcy County, just off of Arkansas 254 in the Chimes-Trace Ridge Area south of Marshall.
The Searcy County sheriff says two people from a lumber mill came into a remote forest area to look at the timber tracts. They were disturbed by what they found: dozens of dead dogs scattered throughout the woods.
John Magruder still can’t believe his eyes, two days later. He’s shelter manager for the Searcy County Humane Society.
“I don’t really have any words for what it makes me feel like. 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,” said Magruder.
The sheriff is also shocked.
“This is my first in 25 years of law enforcement I’ve never seen anything like this,” said Sheriff Joey Pruitt.
No one lives in the timber land where the massacre occurred. The sheriff thinks someone brought the dogs out here, fed them poison, and opened fire.
The sheriff and state investigators recovered evidence, but they’re still processing the massive crime scene. No suspects have been named, but the sheriff does want to reassure the public, “I don’t think they’re stealing people’s pets.”
So far 56 dogs have been found either poisoned and/or shot to death. Another dog that was shot and wounded had to be put down by a game warden, bringing the total to 57. Magruder says there was no hope of saving the dog that had to be euthanized because of its injuries.
A few dogs survived.
“They could have found homes for these dogs. Why? Just why?” asked Jean Passmore, the Humane Society treasurer.
Her emotions are raw and she broke into tears while discussing the crime. The people of this Humane Society are trying to channel their anger into nursing the survivors back to health. Magruder says three of the four rescued survivors were skittish and difficult to catch. One little dog came right to Magruder, though, eager for love.
“He saw us, and that I had a bag of treats, and he took a treat and he was in the truck (immediately). He said, ‘I’ve had enough of this,'” Magruder said.
Soon, he’ll be up for adoption.
“Who could hurt him? Why would you hurt him?”
Source: KY3