Donations meant for homeless dogs and cats at Benton Animal Services were reportedly funneled into a bank account the city never approved, according to a state audit and city officials. Two employees, including the former shelter director, allegedly set up the account in the name of an unauthorized nonprofit and used it to collect donor money without the city's knowledge. Both left their jobs once the city started investigating: one retired, the other resigned.

Arkansas Legislative Audit reviewed nearly $19,000 that moved through the account and found that thousands of dollars in withdrawals lacked any supporting documentation. One of the former employees admitted to spending hundreds of dollars from the account on personal expenses before repaying it. The case has now been handed to the Saline County Prosecuting Attorney's Office for review, and Prosecuting Attorney Chris Walton has confirmed it is an active criminal investigation.

People who gave money to help animals at that shelter deserve to know exactly where every dollar went, and the city of Benton owes its residents real financial safeguards so donations can never again be diverted without anyone noticing. This petition calls on the City of Benton and the Saline County Prosecuting Attorney's Office to pursue full accountability in this case and to put stronger, transparent oversight in place for all future donations to Benton Animal Services.

Sign the petition now to demand accountability and stronger oversight so donor trust at Benton's animal shelter is never abused again.