This alert is no longer active, but here for reference. Animals still need your help.

Two Arkansas men have been arrested and charged with aggravated animal cruelty after a retired K9 officer was found dead on their property due to severe and prolonged neglect. Demand maximum penalties in this case!
 

According to the Greene County Sheriff's Department, in April an anonymous tip led to an investigation into the mistreatment of Bane, a retired K9 officer certified in drug detection, tracking, apprehension, and article search who worked at that department until he retired at the age of 7 in January 2024 after six years of service.

At the time of his retirement, a court order allowed him to be adopted by his handler, Jimmy Huffstetler, who was later arrested himself for theft in November 2024.

The tipster reported Bane was chained outside without food, water, or shade, and that he was very underweight.

Tragically, when officers went to the property, they found Bane in an advanced state of decomposition in a plastic dog house inside a kennel, and identified Jimmy's son, Ethan Huffstetler, as his supposed guardian. Ethan said it had been days since he last checked on Bane, and he didn't have any food for him.

Bane with Jimmy and Ethan Huffstetler.

Huffstetler's roommate, Payton Johnson, bizarrely claimed he had no idea about Bane's condition, even though he said he took his own dog out in the yard multiple times a day.

Both men, who worked at the Green County Detention Center, have been fired and each charged with aggravated animal cruelty and killing an animal used in law enforcement. Both charges are Class D felonies that carry potential penalties of up to six years in prison and up to $10,000 in fines.

Letter to Decision Maker(s) for reference:

Subject: Detention Officers Responsible for the Death of K9 Officer Must Get Maximum Sentence

I am writing in support of the prosecution and maximum sentencing of Ethan Huffstetler and Payton Johnson, the detention officers who were responsible for the horrifying death of retired K9 officer Bane.
 
Bane, who was certified in drug detection, tracking, apprehension, and article search, served the Green County Sheriff’s Department for six years before retiring at the age of 7 in 2024.
 
If not for a tip to the department, fellow officers would never have known what happened to Bane. It’s as heartbreaking as it is maddening that Bane was left to die slowly of starvation and dehydration at the hands of the people who were supposed to be caring for him.
 
I’m relieved to learn these two have been fired from their jobs at the Green County Detention Center and hope you will send a strong message to your community that animal cruelty of this magnitude — especially against a highly trained member of law enforcement who served his community — will not be tolerated by pushing for the maximum sentencing of both men. Since each man was charged with animal cruelty and killing an animal used in law enforcement and since both charges are Class D felonies that carry potential penalties of up to six years in prison and up to $10,000 in fines, I’d expect to see each man sent to prison for 12 years and fined $20,000.

Before release, please ensure both men undergo mental evaluations and treatment and that they are banned for life from contact with animals.

Thank you for your consideration of this important matter.

Sincerely,

Signed

This alert is no longer active, but here for reference. Animals still need your help.