Two Men Charged in Alleged Dogfighting Ring, Animal Shelter Director Injured During Rescue

Two men have been charged in connection with a suspected dogfighting operation in Crittenden County, Arkansas. Authorities responded to a home on Proctor Road on October 20, where they discovered both deceased and injured animals, along with signs of a dogfighting ring.

During the seizure, West Memphis Animal Shelter Director Kerry Facello was bitten on the leg by a pit mix. The dog, however, will not be euthanized. They will be placed in a 10-day quarantine, and after that, a decision will be made about its adoption.

A total of 35 dogs were rescued from the property, but with the West Memphis Animal Shelter already at capacity, only half of the dogs could be housed there. The rest were transferred to a nearby shelter in Marion. “It’s a challenge to find space and have enough hands on board,” Facello explained, noting that many shelters face similar overcrowding issues.

Benrick Comming and Lee Reynolds, the two men involved, are now facing charges. Comming has been charged with multiple crimes, including animal cruelty and theft, while Reynolds faces similar charges. The investigation is still ongoing.

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