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Woman charged in puppy mill case |
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Sunday, 05 October 2008 |
Alicia King of 3715 Silica Heights Road in Benton has been charged with 53 counts of animal cruelty in conjunction with a puppy mill operation, authorities said.
Investigators of the Humane Society of Saline County, Pulaski County Humane Society and Benton Animal Control on Friday confiscated nine living animals and the carcasses of four puppies whose deteriorating remains were visible in an open garage adjacent to King’s house.
King and others at the home claimed they didn’t know how the dead puppies got there.
King, 28, was at her residence Friday when investigators arrived in response to numerous complaints, according to Kay Simpson, director of the Pulaski County Humane Society, and Ann Ann Sanders, director of the Humane Society of Saline County.
Also responding to the scene were Deidre Young and William McClendon of Benton Animal Control; King’s parole officer, John Woolem; and another officer with Woolem.
Information about King’s previous conviction was not immediately available.
On Friday, investigators found an emaciated, frightened Chihuahua in a kennel in the basement of the home, where there was no food or water. Several sick puppies were found in cages in an upper story of the structure.
There was no mother dog with the pups, which appeared to be from different litters. Their eyes were matted, they were dehydrated and whimpering.
Although the pups were quickly gathered up and taken to a veterinarian, one — a tiny black and tan dachshund — died while being treated in the veterinary clinic, Simpson said.
A bearded dragon found in the home also was judged unwell because its body temperature was below normal, Young said.
The dragon, the Chihuahua and the other puppies were being treated over the weekend by Dr. Kim Miller, Simpson said.
Only two of the animals rescued Friday — two boxer-mix pups — appeared to be in good condition, Simpson said.
King reportedly denied ownership of all of the animals, but admitted to investigators at the scene that she had sold a Chihuahua puppy for $150 on Friday.
A woman who is believed to have purchased that particular puppy called the Courier office. She reported that after taking the pup to her home, she noticed its gums were pale and it did not appear to be healthy otherwise. She took it to a veterinarian and it was being treated for a flea infestation, she said.
She said she believes the puppy is one that came from the puppy mill operation she had read about in Thursday’s Courier.
Several days ago representatives of the two Humane Societies and the Saline County Sheriff’s Office rescued 40 dogs at a Lonsdale site believed to be being used as breed animals in King’s operation.
Sanders said the conditions at the Lonsdale site were “deplorable.” Twenty of the animals were taken to the Saline County animal shelter in Bauxite and the other 20 were taken to Pulaski County’s shelter, Sanders said.
A Shih Tzu that was among the Pulaski County group died, Simpson said.
Sanders said all of the dogs at the Saline County shelter in Bauxite are still “terribly frightened. They huddle at the back of their cages. All of them are being treated, but their eyes are especially bad.”
She said she is fearful that some will lose their sight.
“They were being kept in a shed in a tiny, nasty kennel, where there was one window and it was boarded up,” Sanders said. “Their coats were soaked with urine and feces, and the odor was overpowering.”
“If anyone has bought a puppy recently that they think may have come from a puppy mill, we’re asking that they call either us at 557-5518 or Pulaski County Humane Society at 227-6166,” Sanders said.
She explained how a transaction with the operator of a puppy mill traditionally works. “They advertise the dogs in the newspaper and then they arrange to meet the prospective buyer on a parking lot. They will sell for cash only, and they will not allow the buyer to come to their site to see the parents.”
The investigation into the case is continuing.
Donations to assist with the care of these animals may be mailed to the Humane Society of Saline County at P.O. Box 305, Benton, AR 72018. |
 |  |  |  |  | Just being with family and eating good food is the best part!!- Liz McGee Quantz (Haskell, AR)
The Mabelvale United Methodist Church in Mabelvale, AR will
be hosting a fall carnival on Sunday evening October 26th from 5 to 7pm in the
Fellowship Hall. Kids will love it, parents will too! - Roger Poole (Bryant, AR)
I make an awesome Pina Colda Cake. You buy a boxed yellow
cake mix and mix it and bake it per the instructions on the box. After you bake the
cake allow it to cool for about 15 minutes. Use the end of a wooden spoon to poke
medium size holes all in the cake. Take a can of Eagle Brand Milk and Cream of
Coconut and alternate pouring them into the holes. Place the cake in the fridge for
about one hour, remove and put Cool Whip on top, as much or as little as you like.
The cake is better if you let it sit all night in the fridge before eatting. It is
wonderful!!! - Kelly Chase (Alexander, AK)
My favorite memories of Thanksgiving were when we lived in
Tulsa, Ok. There were always folks that didn't have a place to go for the holiday-
so they wound up at our house along with most of my husband's family from Benton.
The house was packed. The Thanksgiving meal was wonderful. But the celebration
didn't end there. At night, all weekend, there were pallets spread throughout the
house and the good eats seemed to never end. And on Friday morning (after
Thanksgiving) all the females were up before dawn and Christmas shopping by 8:00
a.m. Those are memories that I will cherish forever. - Billie Loe (Texas)
I always get to make the turkey for our Thanksgiving. So
you can add more butter or flour for consistency. Wash your turkey, pat dry, take
another stick of butter and rub all over turkey. Then take with your hands and smear
the batter a little thick, all over the turkey. Once all of the turkey has the
batter on it, I will melt the another bar of butter and put it in the bottom of the
pan of my turkey. It will make a wonderful gravy to use on your turkey when done.
So, then get enough aluminum foil to make a "tent" over your turkey. Put in oven and
bake @ 375 all night. It will be so moist, the crispies are great and the gravy
makes it better. Now the flip side to this is, it will be so tender it will fall apart.
So, I do not serve as a whole turkey. I go ahead and slice up, pour some grave
over some of the sliced up turkey for those who like it and then slice up some
turkey without gravy. You will have many compliments on this. Happy Thanksgiving
and Enjoy! - Liz Johnson (Benton) We prepare a traditional Thanksgiving dinner that morning.
Then we pack it all up and travel to deer camp in South Arkansas. We serve dinner to
all those who don't have family with which to share. We'll spend the afternoon
playin' dominos, pitchin' horseshoes and just visitin'. It's a wonderful time. - Pat Stuckey (Bismarck) We invite all the family in and cook the traditional feast.
Everyone gets silly when they get full. That is entertaining. - Jim Perry (Benton) Frozen pizza - Greg Marsh (Medicine Hat) The whole family gets together and we have dinner and noon
visit for a while then go home to take naps and get ready for black friday sales! - Terrie Schulz (Benton)
My childhood memories are of the sumptuous dinners my
grandfather, Byron Yarbrough, Sr. would prepare. Family members came from all over
Arkansas, Louisiana and Texas to our home of South East Street. It was a wondeful
time I really didn't learn to appreciate until he and my grandmother passed away.
Later, my cousin Eleen Murray brought the tradition back and family members gathered
at their home near Lake Norrell. Today, it's the memories of
Thanksgivings past that I treasure. It was because of these gatherings that I came
to realize the importance of family. - David Hughes (Herndon, VA)
My favorite time of remembering Thanksgiving is when all of
my family would get together and enjoy the most wonderful feast I have ever tasted.
My mom would make at least 2 to 3 different stuffings, actually her and my sister
Tammy Parker(Schultz) would make everything. I am not quite the chef my mom and
sister are. I live now and have lived for most of my life away from home in
different states so I have tasted many other dishes. None can compare to my
mom's(Pat Brumley). But most of all it is the family being altogether and just
laughing and having fun. My husband experienced this tradition for the first time in
1999 and still to this day can not stop talking about it. His traditions were not
the same. He couldn't believe the amount of food, fun, and family we had for the
holidays. I didn't understand it because I am used to it always being that way. I am
very lucky to have the family I have. My ex-step dad (David Hughes) still treats me
and my sister like his own so I have extended family to share the holidays with too. Even if it
is just a phone call, prayer, or written. I sure so miss Benton. I was raised
there and even though I am in Hoosier state since 2001 I let everybody know I am
proud to be a Razorback. I will never be anything else. God bless everyone in
Benton and someday I hope to see you soon. - Debbie Brooks (Schultz) (Columbus, IN) |
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Razorbacks
