LONOKE COUNTY, Ark. – What started as an anonymous tip quickly turned into one of the most disturbing animal cruelty cases the Lonoke County Sheriff's Office has seen.

Deputies say the call came in about dogs being kept in poor conditions in the South Bend area of the county.

When investigators arrived, the sight was shocking—16 pit bulls chained outside on short chains, severely malnourished and without access to food or water. Three additional dogs were found dead, their collars still fastened around their necks.

The animal's owner, 38-year-old Daniel Marlin Toennies, was arrested at the scene. He is charged with 19 counts of aggravated animal cruelty, a Class D felony. Toennies has since been released on bond.

Sgt. Tonya Soule, who heads the Sheriff's Office Special Investigations U

See Full Page