Seeking vigourous prosecution of puppy mill abuser, Van Banks
Van Banks, could face multiple counts of cruelty to animals for for 67 beagles seized, and 2 found dead. A June 7 omnibus hearing was set. We petition District Attorney, Eldon Cripps to vigourously prosecute Van Banks and if convicted to seek max. jail time, and mandatory psychological testing and counseling and that Van Banks not be able to have animals ever again.
Van Banks, could face multiple counts of cruelty to animals for for 67 beagles seized, and 2 found dead. Benton County authorities seized 67 live puppies and dogs and two dead
puppies on the morning of April 8 on Noah Road, according to
authorities.
The dogs, all beagles, were being kept in cages not much bigger then
rabbit hutches, said Capt. Tom Brewster of the Benton County Sheriff's
Office. The animals were without water or food, according to a
news release. Cruelty to animals is a misdemeanor, punishable by up to
one year in the county jail, a fine of up to $1,000, or both.
Banks pleaded not guilty. Van Banks appeared before Judge Jeff Conner
in Benton County West District Court with his attorney, Eldon Cripps. Rogers attorney Doug Norwood was also there and announced he'll participate in Banks' defense. Blythe Whitehead, chief deputy prosecutor, represented the state. A June 7 omnibus hearing was set.
Managers at the Bella Vista Animal Shelter said their facility is
extremely overcrowded. Because many of the dogs are actually evidence
in a Benton County case, the shelter is looking for homes for the other
dogs that are kept there.
The
dogs can't be adopted until courts decide whether they were abused by a
Centerton man. At that point the shelter was already at its capacity. Since then, the
shelter has been forced to put down four dogs just to make room for the
beagles.Manager Donna Miles said the shelter staff members are
working extra hours to take care of the extra animals. But she said the
overtime simply isn't enough to keep up -- a situation that has forced
the shelter to euthanize the stray dogs that are dropped off there on a
daily basis.
These mass dog-breeding operations
have been around for decades, but they continue to be
a problem because unsuspecting consumers keep buying those
adorable puppies in the pet store window. Or on some slick
Internet site. Or even through an ad in the trusted local
newspaper.
Because a puppy mill is a business, the facility is designed
purely for profit, not comfort.
We petition District Attorney, Eldon Cripps to vigourously prosecute Van Banks and if convicted to seek max. jail time, and mandatory psychological testing and counseling and that Van Banks not be able to have animals ever again.
Sign PetitionSign Petitionpuppies on the morning of April 8 on Noah Road, according to
authorities.
The dogs, all beagles, were being kept in cages not much bigger then
rabbit hutches, said Capt. Tom Brewster of the Benton County Sheriff's
Office. The animals were without water or food, according to a
news release. Cruelty to animals is a misdemeanor, punishable by up to
one year in the county jail, a fine of up to $1,000, or both.
Banks pleaded not guilty. Van Banks appeared before Judge Jeff Conner
in Benton County West District Court with his attorney, Eldon Cripps. Rogers attorney Doug Norwood was also there and announced he'll participate in Banks' defense. Blythe Whitehead, chief deputy prosecutor, represented the state. A June 7 omnibus hearing was set.
Managers at the Bella Vista Animal Shelter said their facility is
extremely overcrowded. Because many of the dogs are actually evidence
in a Benton County case, the shelter is looking for homes for the other
dogs that are kept there.
The
dogs can't be adopted until courts decide whether they were abused by a
Centerton man. At that point the shelter was already at its capacity. Since then, the
shelter has been forced to put down four dogs just to make room for the
beagles.Manager Donna Miles said the shelter staff members are
working extra hours to take care of the extra animals. But she said the
overtime simply isn't enough to keep up -- a situation that has forced
the shelter to euthanize the stray dogs that are dropped off there on a
daily basis.
These mass dog-breeding operations
have been around for decades, but they continue to be
a problem because unsuspecting consumers keep buying those
adorable puppies in the pet store window. Or on some slick
Internet site. Or even through an ad in the trusted local
newspaper.
Because a puppy mill is a business, the facility is designed
purely for profit, not comfort.
We petition District Attorney, Eldon Cripps to vigourously prosecute Van Banks and if convicted to seek max. jail time, and mandatory psychological testing and counseling and that Van Banks not be able to have animals ever again.
See more petitions:
You have JavaScript disabled. Without it, our site might not function properly.
By signing, you accept Care2's Terms of Service.
You can unsub at any time here.
Having problems signing this? Let us know.