FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Editor's note: This story contains graphic descriptions of animal abuse.
Vikki Davidson, 36, pleaded not guilty to 24 counts of animal cruelty on Monday, July 22.
Elkins Police Department (EPD) officers seized 24 malnourished dogs from her Fayetteville residence on June 20, according to a probable cause report.
Davidson was arrested and booked into the Washington County Jail on July 2.
There was a family renting rooms in Davidson's house who reportedly contacted police after one of Davidson's 24 dogs had bitten a teen in the house on June 20.
"Officers were aware of this residence due to numerous past complaints of dogs at large, unsanitary conditions, and drug activity," the report said.
According to the report, Davidson has had 13 run-ins for dogs at large and unregistered dogs. Before the latest arrest, Davidson had 15 prior bookings, according to the Washington County Sheriff's Office.
Of the 24 dogs, there were reportedly 11 newborn puppies. Davidson is accused of keeping all the dogs in one room of the house "for days on end." When she did let them out, the report said they would defecate and urinate "all over the house."
The report accuses Davidson of feeding the dogs uncooked rice and beans instead of dog food, which resulted in several dogs getting sick and dying. The family also said Davidson hadn't been paying the water bill, and because the house had no running water for over two weeks, the dogs had no water "for a long period of time."
The family told police that Davidson would also abuse and "torture" the dogs by punching them in the head with brass knuckles and frying pans as well as kicking the smaller dogs, the report said.
Police seized 24 dogs from the home who were malnourished. Two of the dogs had to be "euthanized immediately."
Upon further investigation, the officers reportedly found other dead dogs on the property. According to the report, officers located a shallow grave where a small dog was buried, which had reportedly been partially eaten by the other dogs.
"Another dog was found dead in a plastic bag inside a red cooler on the side of the house," the report said.
Davidson is set to appear in court on January 6, 2025.
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