Officers remove 39 dogs from Sherwood home

A Sherwood man was arrested Tuesday after officers removed 39 dogs from his residence and cited him for violating city codes, police say.

Sherwood Animal Control had been investigating John Halsell, 55, for more than a year for having more than the four animals allowed in city limits, no proof of rabies vaccinations, no city registration tags, and for care and cruelty, Sherwood Animal Control officer Cathy Christian said.

Officers went to Halsell's residence at 1012 Country Club Road about 10:28 a.m. Tuesday to provide assistance to code enforcement and animal control officer, according to a Sherwood Police Department report.

Officers said they could smell pet urine and feces from the street in front of the house, and found "layers of beer cans and animal feces" covering the floor after entering the residence, the report states.

They also found an adult dog jaw bone in the backyard, as well as several places "where it appeared puppies had died and decomposed," according to the report.

Officers said they saw no food or water for the animals in the residence, the report states.

Police had gathered about 30 adult dogs and 9 puppies when Halsell emerged from a back room of the house and gave officers several false names and dates of birth, according to the report.

Halsell was arrested and charged with obstructing governmental operations, and also had previous failure to appear warrants.

Officers told Halsell he was not allowed back on his property because of the code violations, the report states.

Halsell was released on bond on Wednesday from the Pulaski County jail, Pulaski County sheriff's office spokesman Capt. Carl Minden said.

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