We, the volunteers at a local shelter in Van Buren, AR, have been tirelessly working towards promoting responsible pet ownership. Our efforts were put to the test when we took in a severely abused and neglected dog brought in by Animal Control. Over several months, we nursed this innocent creature back to health and found him a loving home where he could finally experience kindness. Judge Sam Terry convicted the owners of the dogs, one deceased in the pen, of animal cruelty.  One of the directives was to release the surviving dog, Cooper, to our shelter so he could be adopted. 

However, our joy was short-lived as a recent reinterpretation of his sentence by Judge Terry threatens to return this dog back into the hands of his abusers. These individuals, convicted on animal cruelty charges, are not just ordinary citizens but coaches at local schools who interact with children daily.

The thought of returning an abused animal back into an environment that caused its suffering is unthinkable and against every principle we stand for as advocates for animals. It sets a dangerous precedent that undermines our fight against animal cruelty and sends out the wrong message about accountability for such heinous acts.

Animal cruelty is not just morally reprehensible but also illegal under Arkansas law (Arkansas Code Annotated § 5-62-101). The Humane Society estimates that nearly 1 million animals are abused or killed each year due to domestic violence alone. This case adds another number to this grim statistic if we don't act now.

We urge you all - fellow citizens who believe in justice for all creatures big and small - let's rally together against this decision. Please sign and contact Judge Terry. Let's ensure that this dog does not go back into an abusive environment but stays with those who truly care about its well-being.

Please sign our petition today because every signature brings us one step closer towards ensuring justice for this innocent life.