Statement for Press

  • For Immediate Release:

Animal Groups Demand Formal Investigation into Alpine, Ala., Man Who Runs Sentinel K9 Services and Boasted of Abusing Dogs

Animal Wellness calls on Talladega County Sheriff to investigate self-described ‘dog trainer’ Jeff McArthur for acts of cruelty that he narrates in a YouTube video

Talladega County, AL — Animal Wellness Action and the Center for a Humane Economy issued demands today that local law enforcement authorities investigate and bring all appropriate charges against an Alpine, Ala., man who posted videos online that describe unconscionable cruelty toward dogs, including starving them, denying them urgent veterinary care, and even instigating a one-sided dogfight.

The man, Jeff McArthur, is a self-described dog trainer, operating Sentinel K9 Services, and boasted in videos he posted on YouTube about starving dogs and making them “beg” for food. He further brags about denying a puppy with a “bone sticking out of his leg” professional veterinary care. One video shows him encouraging his pit-bull-type dog to maul and kill a dog who was then on chains.

Animal-care and animal-fighting experts with Animal Wellness Action reviewed the videos and they believe that an investigation into animal cruelty should be opened. Other animal welfare advocates have reported these videos to Talladega County law enforcement. (It is not always customary for law enforcement to announce an investigation if it’s undertaking such an action.)

Wayne Pacelle, president of Animal Wellness Action and the Center for a Humane Economy, issued this statement:

“There are more than a few showmen on YouTube who undertake extreme actions to win attention. In this case, the conduct of Jeff MacArthur, as he describes it and displays it on video, not only constitutes violations of Alabama’s general anti-cruelty law but also its anti-dogfighting law. Starving animals, denying grievously injured animals medical care, and encouraging a dog to attack and kill another dog is a felony act of cruelty.”

Alabama law forbids this kind of conduct, with malicious acts of cruelty and dogfighting bringing the potential of felony-level penalties for perpetrators.

Animal Wellness Action and the Center for a Humane Economy have a running rewards program that offers up to $2,500 cash compensation for information that leads to arrests and convictions of animal abusers. Tipsters may contact [email protected].

Animal Wellness Action is a Washington, D.C.-based 501(c)(4) whose mission is to help animals by promoting laws and regulations at federal, state and local levels that forbid cruelty to all animals. The group also works to enforce existing anti-cruelty and wildlife protection laws. Animal Wellness Action believes helping animals helps us all. Twitter: @AWAction_News

Center for a Humane Economy is a Washington, D.C.-based 501(c)(3) whose mission is to help animals by helping forge a more humane economic order. The first organization of its kind in the animal protection movement, the Center encourages businesses to honor their social responsibilities in a culture where consumers, investors, and other key stakeholders abhor cruelty and the degradation of the environment and embrace innovation as a means of eliminating both. The Center believes helping animals helps us all. Twitter: @TheHumaneCenter

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