CENTERTON — Deputies investigating a report of suspicious activity west of Centerton found six marijuana plants, three loaded guns and 51 miniature poodles.
The dogs were in the kitchen and living room of one single-wide mobile home at 13975 Shady Acres Road, said John Newell, an animal control deputy for the Benton County Sheriff’s Office.
“It was fairly nasty,” Newell said. “It stunk pretty bad.”
Deputies arrested Michael Dopp, 29, and Stanley Largent, 53, in connection with manufacturing a controlled substance, possession of drug paraphernalia and simultaneous possession of drugs and firearms, according to a news release from the office.
Newell said rather than pursue a misdemeanor animal neglect charge, he persuaded Largent to surrender the dogs. Newell took 50 of the dogs to the Humane Society for Animals in Rogers.
Newell characterized the situation as a breeding operation or puppy mill.
Newell said he left behind one elderly poodle. Largent’s wife requested in her will she be buried with the poodle, Newell said.
Clayton Morgan, director of the Humane Society in Rogers, helped Newell unload the armfuls of poodles Thursday afternoon.
Inside, the dogs scampered around pens.
“It was fairly nasty. It stunk pretty bad.”
— Deputy John Newell, animal control officer, Benton County Sheriff’s Office
Morgan said the poodles were in poor health — they had matted hair, parasites and fleas, and their nails were long — but were surprisingly sociable.
“They were loved, they’re socialized,” Morgan said. “That’s one good thing we can say.”
Morgan said the dogs will be separated by gender, vaccinated and groomed. He said he’s already been in touch with several rescue organizations for help placing the dogs with new owners.
Dopp was being held Thursday in the Benton County Jail awaiting a bond hearing.
Largent was released on a citation so he could care for his disabled wife, according to the news release.
A man who answered the phone Thursday afternoon at the number listed for Largent’s address declined to comment on the case before hanging up.
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At A Glance
Humane Society
Clayton Morgan, director of the Humane Society for Animals in Rogers, said the nonprofit organization can use all the help it can get. Donations of money, food or grooming help would be appreciated, he said.
For more information, call the Humane Society at 479-636-3703.
Source: Staff Report