Corning Chief of Police Shooting Dogs

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NAFA’s position on the shooting of 7 to 8 dogs by the Corning Chief of Police

Perhaps better than most, NAFA understands the plight of Animal Control departments and City Officials throughout Northeast Arkansas with respect to stray and abandoned animals. Dogs and cats are being dumped and abandoned in unprecedented numbers and it is difficult for small communities to physically and financially care for these animals.

However, the actions by the City of Corning, specifically the Chief of
Police and the Mayor, is unconscionable, unethical and in our
opinion illegal for several reason. We also believe that these actions
pose a threat to the well being of the citizens of Northeast Arkansas.
As a result, NAFA is calling for the following actions:

1. A complete investigation by the District Prosecuting Attorney’s
office as to animal cruelty charges and improper euthanasia as defined by Arkansas State Law

2. The City of Corning must provide to NAFA and the public - the City protocol for the handling,
housing, length of holding, adoption, euthanasia procedures and proper disposal for any and
all animals picked up by or in the care of the City of Corning.

3. The City of Corning placing Wannda Turner, NAFA director and animal abuse investigator, on
the agenda of the next Corning City Council meeting to address public concerns about this
incident.

4. The City of Corning initiating written protocols, in compliance with Arkansas State Laws and
Arkansas Health Department regulations for the handling and disposing of animals suspected
of rabies. These protocols should be made public and available to any citizen.

5. The City of Corning addressing any issues that might arise from the burial of the animals that
were recently shot should those animals have actually been rabid.

In support of NAFA’s position, we provide the following:


According to Arkansas State Laws
4-97-103.Definition
(7)“Euthanasia” means the humane killing of an
animal accomplished by a method that utilizes
anesthesia produced by an agent that causes
painless loss of consciousness and subsequent
death, and administered by a licensed veterinarian
or a euthanasia technician licensed by the Drug
Enforcement Administration and certified by the
Department of Health;

20-19-308.Shipment to laboratory of head of animal
suspected of being rabid.
(a)(1)Any person causing the death of an animal, either wild or
domesticated, suspected of being rabid shall cause the head of
the animal, together with an affidavit stating that he or she has
reasonable grounds to believe that the animal was rabid, to be
presented to the county court of the county in which the animal
was killed.
(2)(A)It shall be the duty of the court to have the head shipped,
prepaid, to the State Public Health Laboratory of the Division of Health of the Department of Health
and Human Services.
(B)The expenses incurred in such a shipment shall be paid from the county general fund of the
county in which the animal was killed.
According to the American Veterinary Medical Association Euthanasia Guidelines – June 2007
GUNSHOT
For use of a gunshot to the head as a method of euthanasia in captive animals, the firearm
should be aimed so that the projectile enters the brain, causing instant loss of consciousness.
A gunshot to the heart or neck does not immediately render animals unconscious and thus is


not considered to meet the panel’s definition of euthanasia.
Brain tissue may not be able to be examined for
evidence of rabies infection or chronic wasting disease
when the head is targeted.
Gunshot should not be used for routine euthanasia
of animals in animal control situations, such as municipal
pounds or shelters.




With Regards,
Tut