Vicious Dog Attack Case Presented to Quorum Court: Now Considering Dog Ordinance.- audio
February 19th, 2014 by iPhone
A Countryview Drive resident, whose German Shepherd/Corgi mix pet was attacked and killed by 3 of her neighbor’s dogs in a pond, presented her situation to the Quorum Court, Monday night.
The owner of the attacking dog’s name was not mentioned during the meeting, nor was the fact that she’s the director of the Southeast Arkandsas Humane Society.
It was clear that a “leash law” was not asked for, or considered for the county.
The possible options described by officials were a “kennel ordinance” and a “vicious dog ordinance.”
The ‘kennel ordinance” would only affect owners of several dogs, not just a couple of pets.
The “vicious dog ordinance” was described in the meeting as applying to dogs that have a history of viciousness.
Thet topic is expected to be followed up on next month’s agenda.
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Humane Society Director’s Dogs Attack Neighbor’s Pet -on QC Agenda
Feb. 17, 2014
On a recent Saturday evening, a family, who lives on Countryview Drive looked out their front door, to see their German Shepard/Corgi being attacked by three neighborhood dogs in a nearby pond.
The husband had to fire a pistol to get the attacking dogs to leave their injured pet.
They were able to coax their injured dog out of the pond, to get medical care for the bites all over his body. Even after veterinary care, R Kelley didn’t survive the vicious attack.
This sounds like one of the hazards of living in the country, except that the owner of the other dogs involved is Ruby Burton, Director of the Southeast Arkansas Humane Society.
For years, neighbors have feared, “one day, one of the 20 dogs she keeps down there will attack us or, kill one of our pets.” That seems to be the case now.
According to the police report, Burton admitted to the deputy that they were her dogs, and that the Humane Society would pay for the medical care for the injured pet.
Burton has made state headlines for years, with het criticism of city dog pounds across the state; even attempting to bring criminal charges against at least one mayor.
This situation brings multiple questions with it:
If the loose dogs were property of the Humane Society, why are they allowed to run loose and attack neighborhood pets? and,
If the attacking dogs were Burton’s dogs, then why did she tell the sheriffs dept. that the Humane Society would pay for the vet bills.
The lady who lost her pet, due to the attack, is scheduled to be on the quorum court agenda at the courthouse tonight at 7 PM.
The city of Monticello recently passed their own dog ordinance, last month. Similar action by the quorum court is unlikely, but it seems this specific incident will be addressed, along with another dog care facility on S. Cherry St.
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The county really should consider a vicious dog ordinance especially when multiple complaints have been made on a particular owner throughout the years. People with pets like the ones that attacked this dog and other neighbors before know that because they live in the county nothing will be done to them because there are no laws pertaining to this matter. I worked for the Sheriff’s department for six years and the only thing we could tell anyone who called to complain was nothing could be done because there is no leash for county and you have the right to protect yourself on your own property which translates to you can shoot them if you feel threatened. Not everyone has a gun and most people don’t want to shoot someone’s pet.
It was HIS pond!
The Humane Society is a good idea. I am glad we have one. The one here in Monticello doesn’t help out with anything but dogs as far as I know, & I did get help through Mrs. Ruby to get my dog Rosie (an unwanted stray at the time) spayed. I applaud her for taking care of 20 dogs. However, that many does seem to be a health hazard for people & other pets. Is there not a limit to the number of dogs a person is allowed? Are these dogs allowed to run loose, are they normally confined within kennels & escaped? What went wrong here?
The death of a pet is a horrible experience that I wouldn’t wish on anyone, especially the manner of death this pet suffered. I must commend the pet owners on the restraint they exhibited during this attack on their beloved pet child. I hope justice is served for this furry member of their family. They have my most sincere condolences & prayers for comfort.
Here’s another thought, if this many dogs roam unrestrained, they pack together. If you’re not a member of their pack, they attack. This time it was a dog, will it be a human the next time?
R. Kelly was my dog. I fostered him when I started college at UAM in 2011. My roommate adopted him and he became part of our family. When we went our separate ways, my roommate’s parents took R. Kelly in. He was the sweetest and gentlest little dog. We named him R. Kelly as a joke but it stuck. He was a goofy dog with a playful nature. He never bit or acted aggressively towards anyone or anything. He was so friendly and sweet. He didn’t deserve to die this way. I’m a huge animal lover and animal rights activist. I never want any animal to suffer for anything. That being said, the dogs that did this don’t deserve to die, in my opinion. They should be removed from their owner and rehabilitated. Their owner is clearly inconsiderate and doesn’t exhibit signs of being a good pet parent. She shouldn’t be in charge of The Humane Society if she can’t even control her own pets or act reaponsibly. This situation has broken my heart. The loss of such a beloved pet is devastating to everyone who loved him.
I fail to understand why the Humane society needs to pay for the woman’s injured pet.
I believe whole heartedly that someone should……such as the director of the Southeast Arkansas Humane Society. The vicious dogs were in her care and were her responsibility. Since she seems to be so big on personal responsibility and making rules for everyone regarding pet ownership perhaps she should bother to lead by example and not be the “exception to the rule”. I still think the new ordinances allow those who have money or access to money to be able to keep all the vicious dogs they want via a permit. I think the current fines are quite high in such a bad economy. I had believed the intent of this was to put the hurt on people to force them to act in a way that mirrored the wants and demands of the director of the Southeast Arkansas Humane Society. I realize that Mrs. Burton doesn’t actually live within the Monticello city limits but she should take it upon herself to be responsible and act on this situation in a way that reflects how she expects all other pet owners to behave and respond. Let’s hope she does that.
I know that Mrs. Rudy have a lot of dogs and yes they run loose, but if she could she would have a fence, and more, it take money to do this, drew co. need to come together on this and help with the money, to help the dogs around here, everyone called her to help with dogs that is in a pen or chain up that doing without food and water, one dogs that lived by me been without water for a long time, he wont lived long when it get hot, not doing real good now!! but what can I do? call Rudy!! before putting her down, think about what she does for dogs, and the dog was killed, I feel sorry for the dog, but he should of been put up to!
I was at Mrs. house a few weeks ago. I took some pans she could use for feeding. All the dogs I saw were big, nasty dogs, some with sores. Seems 20 dogs are too many to care for. I couldn’t get out of the car till she call them off. She should have to pen them up or get rid of them.
We need a leash law in the county! No one who owns a pet should let the pet run free in the county. Don’t take responsibility for a dog if you are not willing to build a fence for it afterthought spay it and keep shots up to date. It is time for the Quorum Court to take action!
This was a very tragic and unnecessary event in the lives of the people who lost their pet; however, I don’t understand the rut we seem to have gotten into in America that when an unpleasant incident happens we rush to make a law about it. I know the article says that the Quorum Court is likely not going to do anything like the city with its recent animal ordinances, but it may not be long in coming. When one person has a nuisance animal or animals, why can’t we just address that one problem rather than make everyone who has an animal follow some law? It is similar to some anti-gun legislation. Thousands and thousands of people own guns and never misuse them. One bad apple does something horrible with a gun, and instantly lawmakers think all guns should be taken away or more strictly regulated. When one dog owner has 20 dogs that roam free in an area, that is cause for concern and should be addressed. But making another law for all dog owners is not the answer. I hope that when the Quorum Court addresses this problem, they remember this line of thinking.
I am confused because last year Ms. Burton was trying to ban Pitbulls and make new rules for Monticello. I heard that dogs get dumped at her house and she gets overwhelmed, but if she is calling herself The Southeast Humane Society, shouldnt she have the necessities to provide for these dogs? I do believe these organizations get funding for taking care of these problems, I may be wrong but that is what I was told. Until people are held accountable for their actions nothing will change. I do believe that this entire nation needs better rules and punishment but for some reason it is not very important. I do believe Ms Burton had some good points but something needs to be done and soon.
The owners of this sweet dog have suffered a tragedy that Mrs. Burton and Mrs. Burton alone should have to pay for not the Humane Society, she shouldnt be allowed to hide behind it- whats good for everyone else is good enough for her too. How about she practices what she preaches and do the right thing for these animals and find a home for them where they will be properly taken care of instead of letting them roam free and unfenced with opportunities to hurt another animal or even worse-SOMEONE.
Firs I’d like to respond to the use of the phrase HS dogs/my dogs I’m involved with a HS in the state and have HS dogs as well as my dogs located at my home in a fenced in area. Unless u r involved with a HS u would not know that we all refer to Hs dogs in our care as ours at one tin we or another. Ruby has done much for spay and neuter program and I appauled her for her actions with regard to surrounding dog shelters. Ive never been to her home so I will not commit on the status of the dogs there as far as there condition. I an surprised the dogs were not in a contained area. Some HS bylaws state the number of dogs foster families can have at one time because of the danger and the cost for food monthly heart worm treatment and regular vet visits. I foster several dogs and trust me vet care is EXPENSIVE and if I couldn’t afford it I would not have the dogs. Ruby does the best she can with the resources she has available Maybe if the community helped she could fence them in. My community supports our HS Happily when they can. I hear all these wonderful things about Drew County and how forward thinking they r. Well when they cant or wont help support their local HS what does that tell u. However if a woman runs a stop lite they’ll send 3 or 4 police cars to the stop. Small want to bes is all Monticello and Drew County are. Sad. Good luck Ruby hope u get fence soon. And to family who lost pet my heart goes out to u. God Bless
We shouldn’t pay for her to have a fence. Do you know how many times the Humane Society has come through and made no exceptions for someone else and has chosen not to help them when they needed help with their pets? Has demanded that they be responsible? So let’s make up our minds and decide if we want everyone to be responsible or no one to be responsible.
It has been insisted often by the law makers that exceptions could not be had.
Despite extenuating circumstances.
Truthfully we need less government in our lives as citizens. However it isn’t fair to deem that someone who is a rule maker gets to have less of it in their own simply because of their job.
I have no agreement with how there should be a leash law “in the county”. Less government please. Just more personal responsibility. Especially some exhibited by our governing bodies. I feel it is a bit of knee jerk reaction to demand “everyone” in the county chain, leash, spay, neuter, and fence their dogs because of the poor behavior of someone in the Humane Society. Perhaps it is far simpler to just ask that they behave in the same manner they expect from all other pet owners. That would be the most logical and reasonable course of action to take.
This is directed at the commentor named “me” who stated, ” I feel sorry for the dog, but he should of been put up to!”
R Kelley was on his own property. It’s not his fault someone else’s dogs attacked him in his own yard. It would have been a child would you think the child shouldn’t have been outside? You are what is wrong with this Country. Always want to blame the victims.
Also, if Mrs Rudy doesn’t have enough money to properly care for the dogs she takes in, then she needs to rethink her priorities. Care for only the ones she can afford to and not take in more than that.
You were a sweet boy we truly miss you.
I am Ruby’s son. The dogs that attacked were dogs that someone dumped on my mom’s property. Maybe she should have put them to sleep rather than foster them. She has 10 dogs on her property and will gladly let any responsible person adopt them. Ruby has had over 20 thousand dogs and cats spayed and neutered in the past 15 years. She gets zero salary. Ask yourself what you do for your county. Trust me, no one feels worse about the incidient than my mother. I am certain the Ms. McDainiel will be OK. Trust me, there are people that have suffered much worse tragedy and have survived. Additionally, her dog(s) and cats run loose all over everyone’s property as well. We are truly sorry for the incident and my mother will continue to help the dogs that are dumped on her property as best she can. Unfortunately, the real answer my be to have them put down.
THE HUMANE Society had pushed and pushed to get a FELONY charge on the books for cruelty to animals. ONE man has been charged with that very law ( the first in the state) right here in Drew County. IS it not JUST as cruel to allow what happened in this situation as in any other cruelty??? But because it is THE HUMANE Society…we NOW just call it a sad situation.with NO FAULT?? IF it is good for the Goose it is good for the HUMANE Society as well!!!!
You are right Ms. McDaniel will be ok but should not have had to even go through this. Her dog was in his own yard when your mothers dog attacked him. I don’t care if that dog was dumped off in her yard she apparently has had it long enough for her to take up ownership for her to say it was her dog. She always stirs up problems involving city residence and county about how to care for their animals but she doesn’t do it herself. She has not paid to spay or neuter animals the Human Society has sorry she doesn’t deserve a salary or even a pat on the back. Her herd of 10-20 dogs sleep in the road, pee, crap, play in neighbors yards all up and down Midway Route, Wilson Mill and Countryview anywhere but your mothers property so she needs to refrain from telling anyone how to care for their dogs until she practice what she preaches and since that has never and will never happen she needs to shut up. One thing she can be thankful for is even though we love our pets it would have even been worse had it been someone’s family member that was attacked. (Which could still happen at anytime) There are a lot of residents within a mile radius of your mothers property and I don’t think you could find 1 that would say she cares for “her” dogs. Just because she keeps dumped dog and picks up others dogs doesn’t mean she takes care of them. Since you are so proud of the job she does why don’t you go take care of them for her since she doesn’t.
Ruby’s son again. This is my last post. Most of you sit in the comfort of your homes drinking cherry soda and eating bon bons on the couch while giving all this great advice! My mother is doing something to help the dogs and has prevented the birth of hundreds of thousands. Yes, we should all be angry about the irresponsible pet owners. The humane society is not perfect. There are a few volunteers trying to control thousands of of issues each year. Instead of turning the other cheek, how about pitching in and doing something? Are you part of the problem or part of the solution? STOP DUMPING DOGS on other people to take care of. Instead of buying cigarettes one month, get your dog spayed or neutered. Stop calling my mother every time you find a stray. Don’t be helpless and turn the other cheek. My mother doesn’t want the dogs she has. She has stepped up to the plate to take care of a problem that others shun. She doesn’t need more useless advice, she needs people who are not afraid to get a little sweaty and pitch in to help. For Mr. Facts man, beating a horse in the head with a baseball bat doesn’t compare to a stray dog fight in the country. Stay in the city or get a law passed. I promise, my mother will gladly support any law that helps.
I am just wondering, and hopefully someone can enlighten me: Is the Southeast Arkansas Humane Society an “officially” organized humane society? Or is there such a thing as an “official” Humane Society”? If so, are there not regulations that should be followed? I know that similar organizations in other counties are operated on private funds, donations and the like, but they also have a structure to them, and most are not run out of an individual’s private home. The animals are kept in kennels and attempts are made to adopt them out. Fundraisers are held to raise money to cover expenses for the facility. If all of these things are being done, then excuse my ignorance. As I said, I am not aware of the facts of our local facility. But from the comments, it seems that Ms. Burton is just an animal lover – which is admirable, to be sure – and doesn’t mind taking in strays. All of which is fine, if she is willing to take care of them responsibly.
And let me add, I live outside of the city limits and I also have dogs, (which are kept in a fenced yard) But I do NOT support any kind of laws or ordinances that would require pet owners to pen up their pets. Really – are you going to pen up the deer, coons, etc., too? With that said, and keeping in mind that I love animals of all kinds, neither would I hesitate to shoot an animal – any animal – that attacked my pet or child.
Mrs.Ruby Burton is a wonderful lady and she helps out with getting peoples pet fixed with 4 West
Mrs.Ruby helps get dogs and cats spayed i have met her in person and she is an awesome person and she had to give up her 2 pit bulls that she loved so much so Mrs.Ruby is not to blame
Re: Ruby’s son again
I don’t sit on in the comfort of my home and not do anything so I can say how I feel and not have any regrets. Your mother may have dogs dumped in her yard, she may represent the Human Society but she also goes and picks up dogs people call about or those she finds without a home. Good for her give her the clapps that doesn’t mean she has to keep every dog she comes in contact with does all humane society reps keep all the dogs I highly doubt it or they would have thousands of dogs. I am not turning the other cheek I chose not to have a dog because I don’t have the time for one so if she doesn’t want them instead of just calling them hers why doesn’t she do something with them. It is just like a man and woman have a child that doesn’t mean they are good parents. Just because your mom is allegedly a humane society rep that doesn’t mean she is a good one. I don’t smoke so can’t give up that habit to spay or neuter a dog. Your mother gets calls about dogs because she says she is the humane society but that doesn’t mean she should keep everyone of them. Why should anyone else think about getting sweaty and pitch in since your mother is not getting sweaty or pitching in just because she has her own dog pound. She has the dogs regardless how she got them if she can’t care for them she shouldn’t throw them in her yard to let them terrorize others. Before you tell anyone to stay in the city why don’t you tell your mother to stay in the county & take care of her dogs? Maybe if she got sweaty and took care of her own she wouldn’t have time to worry about what anyone else is doing with their dogs. This is my last reply to you unless you come up with more stupidity to post.
BTW I don’t like Bon Bons and if 10 people drop of 10 dogs in my yard I wont keep them.
I agree with Looking for facts and the humane society director does not know the history of the dog or cat that gets dropped off at the humane society.
Well said from a coward that doesn’t leave their name. I cannot standby and let you make false comments. Everything you just stated is incorrect. She doesn’t keep any dogs people call her about. She doesn’t bring dogs to the house. Every dog was dumped. You cannot have a shelter and receive grant money to spay and neuter. Shelters are a waste of resources. Stop the dogs from having other unwanted dogs and you will never need a shelter. Everytime you see someone giving away “Free” puppies, you should be angry at their negligence. But you won’t, you will turn the other cheek and do nothing as usual.
thank you Michael, your mom is a VERY GOOD LADY ,i know it for sure, she need help from the people in drew co. these people need to walk a mile in rudy shoes, before they start talking, cause it wont be a h.s. cause they want do it !! I would not do it myself, it a hard job!! and I hope she does not leave this job, cause every good person in drew co. will miss her,( I know the dogs will!!!!)