Nearly 50 dogs, many in need of urgent veterinary care after living in deplorable conditions, were rescued Wednesday from a Jefferson County home, according to the sheriff’s office.
In a statement, the Jefferson County sheriff’s office said it executed a search warrant around 7 a.m. to a residence in the 1600 block of Arrowhead Drive in Redfield, where investigators and deputies found dozens of dogs inside and outside the home.
The homeowner, Randall W. Gentry, 60, is being held at the Jefferson County jail as of Wednesday afternoon on multiple charges of cruelty to animals, the sheriff’s office said.
“The smell in and about the property was overwhelming, and the living conditions were deplorable for any living being,” said Maj. Lafayette Woods Jr., spokesman for the sheriff’s office.
A total of 46 dogs were removed alive from the property with assistance from the Humane Society of the United States, authorities said. They will be transported to temporary shelters, where they will receive daily care pending the outcome of the case.
"No animal should ever be forced to living in conditions like we've seen today," said Chris Schindler, director of animal crimes for the Humane Society's animal rescue team, in a statement.
Gentry is scheduled to appear in Jefferson County District Court at 9 a.m. Tuesday for his first appearance.
Wednesday's dog rescue is considered the second largest in Jefferson County, with the largest seizure reported Feb. 27, 2014, involving 121 dogs and 183 animals total, according to the sheriff's office.
Read Thursday's Arkansas Democrat-Gazette for full details.