2 Arkansans accused of animal cruelty after dog developed infection, later abandoned

Tommy Wayne Stratton, 31, and Lisa Burnett, 28, both of Bryant
Tommy Wayne Stratton, 31, and Lisa Burnett, 28, both of Bryant

Two central Arkansas residents face animal-cruelty charges after their dog was found with a severe infection that caused it to swell three times its normal size and develop a deformed head, according to police.

Tommy Wayne Stratton, 31, and Lisa Burnett, 28, both of Bryant, later abandoned the dog at an animal shelter without taking the dog to a veterinarian at the request of a responding detective, the Alexander Police Department said in a statement.

Police said they received a report July 9 in reference to a dog needing medical attention at a lot in the 16000 block of Iris Cove. At the scene, authorities found the dog tied to a tree near a parked RV occupied by Stratton and Burnett.

When the responding detective returned three days later, the dog was gone and found at the Bryant Animal Shelter, according to the statement.

Stratton and Burnett were arrested early Monday, each on a count of cruelty to animals, records show.

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