The Randolph County Sheriff's Department seized 57 animals last month from Sandra Croney's home in Warm Springs. The department was assisted by the Humane Society of the United States and Central Arkansas Rescue Effort.
A search warrant was obtained for Croney's property after a concerned citizen went to the home, posing as a prospective dog buyer. The citizen told police she spoke with the local Humane Society before going to Croney's property.
She told police that outside Croney's home, dogs appeared to be starved and had little to no shelter. She said some dogs were completely entangled in their tethers and unable to walk more than a few feet in either direction.
According to the sheriff department's case summary, Sandra Croney told the "prospective dog buyer" that she was in the business of breeding and selling both adult dogs and puppies.
Croney allegedly supplied a business card that read "Sweet Pea Pyrs / Breeder of Great Pyrenees and Pyrekoms."
Two days later, police executed that search warrant.
Approximately 46 dogs, 8 live chickens, 1 dead chicken and 3 cats were taken from the home.
According to police, the animals, especially the dogs, were "grossly neglected in terms of adequate food, water, veterinary care and parasite control."
Many of the dogs tested positive for heartworms and Ehrlichia, a tick borne disease.
Sheriff Gary Tribble stated in his report that the dogs were "slowly being starved to death."
"It was believed that these animals could not have survived an extreme period of cold weather and would have been dead had intervention not occurred when it did," Tribble said.
Charges against Croney did not come until nearly a month after the search warrant was executed, as it is not illegal to run a puppy mill in the state of Arkansas.
Tribble explained that after their investigation, prosecutors advised to proceed with charging her with cruelty to animals.
Thursday, March 12, 2015, Croney was charged with 58 counts of cruelty to animals.
According to Sheriff Tribble, this isn't the first time Croney has faced these charges.
In July 2013, a search warrant at the same residence in Warm Springs resulted in the rescue of 6 dogs and a goat. At that time, there were 32 dogs, 3 cats, 1 goat and multiple chickens on the property.
Croney was charged and convicted of cruelty to animals in that case.
Her court appearance for her latest charges is slated for April 8.
(KAIT8 - March 13, 2015)
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