06/13/2025
UPDATED: FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 13, 2025
Saline County, Arkansas — The Saline County community is grieving the tragic loss of a teenager who was killed by a pack of dogs she had been caring for — a heartbreaking incident that exposes the urgent need for comprehensive animal welfare reform in Arkansas.
These were not wild or intentionally aggressive animals. They were formerly strays, being fed and cared for by well-meaning individuals who were doing what they thought was right — trying to help in the absence of any meaningful support or system to manage the crisis. But in a state with no consistent laws to regulate breeding, no state-funded shelter network, and a severe overpopulation problem, the burden too often falls on everyday Arkansans. And sometimes, it ends in tragedy.
This devastating loss is part of a larger pattern of neglect. Across Arkansas, communities face mounting challenges due to unchecked breeding, a lack of spay/neuter access, and underfunded or nonexistent shelter systems. Stray dog populations are growing, and local governments are left with little to no resources to respond.
We are calling on our state leaders to confront this crisis with the seriousness and urgency it demands.
We demand:
- Statewide regulation of dog breeding and ownership to prevent unchecked reproduction and neglect.
- State-funded, accessible spay and neuter programs to reduce the stray population.
- A comprehensive, statewide shelter system to ensure every county has the tools to respond humanely and effectively.
- Emergency support and training for counties overwhelmed by ongoing stray dog problems.
The Arkansas Animal Welfare Alliance stands ready to work hand-in-hand with lawmakers, agencies, and community leaders to develop practical, effective solutions. We are prepared to offer data, connect legislators with frontline experts, and help craft legislation that addresses the root causes of overpopulation and neglect. This is not a partisan issue — it’s a public safety, public health, and moral imperative. We urge our elected officials to join us at the table and take meaningful steps toward lasting change.
This young girl’s death was preventable. Let it be a wake-up call — not just for Saline County, but for the entire state. We must act now to ensure this never happens again.
Sarah Huckabee Sanders State Representative RJ HawkState Representative Karilyn Brown State Representative Tony FurmanJulie Mayberry Kim Hammer for Arkansas Senator Matt McKee Representative Andrew Collins Ashley for Arkansas Carlton Wing State Representative District 70 Arkansas Times Arkansas Democrat-Gazette / ArkansasOnline.com
https://www.savearanimals.org/post/teen-killed-by-pack-of-stray-dogs-in-saline-county-a-preventable-tragedy-that-demands-statewide-act
