Decatur man accused of killing two hunting dogs

BENTONVILLE -- A Decatur man was arrested Dec. 23 in connection with shooting and killing two hunting dogs.

Benjamin Charles Hudson, 27, is free on $2,500 bond. He was arrested in connection with two counts of first-degree criminal mischief, a Class D felony; two counts of misdemeanor cruelty to animals; and obstructing government operations.

The arrest stems from a Dec. 1 incident where Hudson told deputies he shot and killed two dogs, according to court documents. Hudson claimed that the dogs were bothering his cattle, according to a probable cause affidavit.

According to the affidavit, Hudson said he fired warning shots before shooting and killing the dogs.

Hudson said he was at his shop when he heard the dogs and his cows, the affidavit states. Hudson said he yelled at the dogs before firing warning shots and then killed the dogs since they did not leave his property, according to court documents.

Hudson said he was about 40 yards from the dogs and the dogs were about 100 to 200 feet from his cattle pen, according to the affidavit.

Hudson said he dragged the dead dogs down a hill when he realized he was not alone in the woods and was later approached by hunters, the affidavit states.

Both dogs had on GPS collars, and Jeff Robbins, a detective with the Benton County Sheriff's Office, was able to learn that one of the dogs was 93 yards to the closest cattle pen and the other was 187 yards, according to court records.

Robbins met with Dwayne Evans and he said both dogs were registered through the United Kennel Club Registering Office, according to court documents. Evans also showed Robbins certificates from where the dogs had won competitions, the affidavit states.

Evans estimated the dogs were valued at between $3,500 to $18,000 because of their training and certificates, according to the affidavit.

Evans said he had never met Hudson, but received permission to be on the land from another Hudson about 20 years ago, the affidavit states.

Deputies concluded the dogs were not a threat to the cattle, according to the affidavit.

Prosecutors have not filed charges against Hudson.

Hudson's arraignment is scheduled for 8 a.m. Feb. 1 in Circuit Judge Robin Green's court.