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July 24th, 2008 - Welcome
This site is provided so individuals can stay up to date on the activities and important news of the animal world in Northeast Arkansas. We welcome your thoughts and suggestions on each of our areas above. Our sole purpose is to make Jonesboro and Northeast Arkansas a better place for the animals and the community.
Wannda Turner
Executive Director
Northeast Arkansans for Animals
870-932-1955
July 11th, 2008 - Another dog rescued by local residents
Another dog, who volunteers from the Humane Society of the Delta clearly remember from his days in the Helena-West Helena Animal Control, has been rescued from the Storm Creek Road area. The dog is currently being held in quarantine at a local vet’s office after biting a resident who was trying to untangle him where a portion of a chain attached to his collar was caught around a tree. The people who rescued the dog have decided to keep him regardless of his disposition, although veterinarian assistants have warned that he is a bad dog.
Currently, Helena-West Helena animal control officers are only picking up dead or vicious animals according to a statement made by Mayor James Valley.
However, the hardworking volunteers of the Humane Society of the Delta suggest that if you encounter a dog that seems aggressive to leave it alone and call them at 870-916-5979 and give a good description of the animal and the location so that something can be done.
July 8th, 2008 - Plea arraignment date set
According to the Circuit Court Clerks office in Helena - 870-338-5515 - plea arraignment for Mayor Valley is scheduled for Friday, July 11 at 9:00 am. At this arraignment Mayor Valley will either plead guilty or not guilty. If he pleads not guilty a trial date will be set. If he pleads guilty he could be fined, etc., at that time.
July 1st, 2008 - 7th dog accounted for
A resident of Storm Creek Road was able to finally catch another of the dogs released by Mayor Valley. The young dog has been seen on and off since its initial release the second week of June. The dog, covered in fleas and ticks, is currently being seen by a vet in Helena to remove the excessive parasites. As soon as transport can be arranged it will be moved to Jonesboro for complete veterinarian care and placement in a foster home. More information and pictures of the dog should be available in the next few days.
Thanks to the Storm Creek Road residents and Humane Society of Delta volunteers who continue to work with NAFA for the safe capture and transfer of the dogs to Jonesboro for continued care and adoption.
July 1st, 2008 - Helena City Contact Information
I have spoken with the Helena City Municipal Court this morning. According to the District Court Clerk no date has yet been set for this matter. Contact for the Municipal Court is as follows:
226 Perry St
Helena, AR 72342
(870) 338-8825
You can also reach the Helena City Attorney –
Andre K. Valley
427 E Garland
Helena, AR 72390
870-338-6487
Helena City Council Members email addresses (These addresses are from the Helena City Website)
If you are going to email or contact any Helena officials please remember to be polite and to the point. It is important that the rescues and individuals passionate about this matter not be seen as radical or unreasonable.
Trece Shepherd Williams – Ward 1
Jay Hollowell – Ward 2
Joe St. Columbia – Ward 2
Roy Reynolds – Ward 3
Larry Wilson – Ward 3
No email address provided
Tommy Hunt – Ward 4
Eugene Johnson – Ward 4
Don Etherly – Ward 5
Marvin Jarret – Ward 5
marvinjarrett@cos-internet.com
June 27th, 2008 - Helena Mayor Charged
An arrest warrant was issued today for Helena-West Helena Mayor James Valley. Circuit Judge David Henry found reasonable cause to issue the warrant over accusations that he obstructed the Humane Society of Southeast Arkasnas from caring for the animals.
It is expected that Mayor Valley will be served by telephone and given the date of his first court appearance.
Mayor Valley may still face charges specific to abandoning animals, livestock or personal property on federal property.
June 25th, 2008 - Another Helena dog found
Yesterday, June 24th, the Humane Society of the Delta received a call from a Helena resident. The individual stated that he had rescued the white/tan pit mix (show on television) from the swimming area of the St. Francis Forest. The resident indicated that he had worked for three days to gain the trust of the dog before rescuing it on June 17th – a week after the dog was illegally dumped to fend for itself.
The dog, now named “Redneck” is going to stay with the resident that found him. The dog will see a vet in the next few days. We will keep you posted.
June 24th, 2008 - An apology from Mayor Valley?
Helena-West Helena Mayor James Valley has issued an official apology “to the good wholesome reasonable and sound-minded people of this community”. However, he stated, “I have broken no law. I was faced with two bad choices – the choice of evils. Let the dogs go or kill the dogs. I am an animal lover myself. I am no murderer. The bad dogs were killed by the vet. The other dogs were released. The released dogs were neither sick nor harmful.”
Mayor Valley should have checked with Arkansas State Law before releasing the dogs or issuing his statement. Arkansas State Law 5-62-101 specifically states that a person commits the offences of cruelty to animals if, he knowingly abandons an animal – a Class A Misdemeanor.
Mayor Valley also stated, “I wish I had said nothing about the St. Francis National Forest. That is what has really caused a fuss. The dogs were set free on Storm Creek Road near the St. Francis National Forest”.
The complete article on this can be found at the Daily World website -
June 23rd, 2008 - NAFA brings home another Helena dog
Sunday, June 22
Eight NAFA volunteers, two trucks loaded with supplies and 3 ATV’s arrived at the St. Francis National Forest. They were met by an exceptional representative from the US Forestry Service who offered his services all day to open locked gates and direct searchers.
Soon after their arrival, NAFA volunteers were joined by two volunteers from Oxford-Lafayette Humane Society (Oxford, Mississippi) and six to eight volunteers from the Humane Society of the Delta (Helena). The three rescues joined together to create an impressive rescue force for the animals carelessly dumped by the Mayor of Helena.
Once a base camp was established, search and rescue teams were sent out on foot and on ATV’s to search for dogs or any signs dogs had been living in the areas of the National Forest. An extensive search in all directions from the damn area concluded with no sign of live animals.
However, a family arrived at the base camp with a white/tan male AST that they had rescued on Wednesday, June 11th (shortly after the animals were dumped). The adorable and very social pitbull named “Scooter” was very emaciated but a very happy dog. The family had taken him to the vet shortly after rescuing him. Scooter was found to be extremely malnourished, heartworm positive and suffering from a tick related disease. Scooter had made a great addition to this family and they are dedicated to seeing him well, heartworm treated and neutered.
After a brief break teams moved to canvas residents and property along Storm Creek Road. Disposable cameras and rescue information were provided to individuals in hopes that proper identification and capture could be coordinated for any remaining dogs. Humane Society of the Delta volunteers found a dog that had wandered up to a home shortly after Mayor Valley’s illegal abandoment of the dogs. The young black scruffy dog was surrendered to NAFA and he is currently being housed at a volunteer’s home in Jonesboro. The dog, who appears to be about 4 months of age was covered in fleas and ticks, suffered from slight anemia but was otherwise relatively healthy. On Monday he will receive complete vet care and then return to his foster home.
All and all it was a very successful day and a perfect example of what dedicated groups of rescues can come together to accomplish.
NAFA thanks Oxford-Lafayette Humane Society and The Humane Society of the Delta for their exceptional hard work and perseverence.
Expenses continue to grow. NAFA could use your help with donations to cover medical bills, food, care and our multiple trips to Helena. Please consider sending a donation to NAFA, P. O. Box 10075, Jonesboro, AR 72403 or visit our website www.nafacares.org and make a donation through paypal.
June 21st, 2008 - Nearly 90 pets vaccinated
NAFA volunteers lead by Dr. Jack Jones vaccinated, heartworm tested, deworm, and provided physical exams to nearly 90 pets this past Saturday June 21st. This is a record number of participants for our Low Cost Vaccination Clinics.
NAFA’s Low Cost Vaccination Clinic began in October 2006 and has provided vaccination opportunities with Dr. Jack Jones every 3 or 4 weeks.
This program was initially started with a small grant and is not maintained by public donations of people who understand the bond of families and their pets and realize the sacrafice that must be made by many just to get basic vaccinations and care.
Thanks to everyone.