BENTON COUNTY — A Decatur man pleaded not guilty to charges that accuse him of shooting and killing two hunting dogs.
Benjamin Charles Hudson, 27, is charged with first-degree criminal mischief, a Class D felony; and two counts of misdemeanor cruelty to animals. He entered the pleas Monday during his arraignment before Circuit Judge Robin Green.
Hudson was arrested Dec. 23. He is free on $2,500 bond.
He told Benton County Sheriff's Office deputies he fired warning shots before shooting and killing two dogs. Hudson said he shot the dogs Dec. 1 after they bothered his cattle, according to court documents.
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 when they didn't leave his property, according to the probable cause affidavit.
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 wasn't alone in the woods and was later approached by hunters, the affidavit states. Both dogs had on GPS collars. Jeff Robbins, a Sheriff's Office detective, was able to learn one of the dogs was 93 yards away from the closest cattle pen and the other was 187 yards away, according to court records.
Robbins met with Dwayne Evans, who 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 court documents.