BENTONVILLE — One of Rogers’ men was sentenced to eight years in prison and banned from having any pets. After he admitted to killing a neighbor’s dog with a crossbow.
Charles Ferris, 54, pleaded guilty Monday to mistreating a dog, cat or horse, assault and battery. The plea was subject to a settlement that Ferris’ lawyers, Ray Spruell and Alison Lee, reached a settlement with Deputy Attorney Wilson Raines.
Charles and Leslie Fontenot reported March 27, 2022 to the Benton County Sheriff’s Office. They returned to their home and found their dog dead on their front porch with an arrow in it. According to the affidavit The couple, who live at Sheppard Place in Rogers, said blood trailed from their home on Deer Run Lane, according to the affidavit.
Ferris admitted to the sheriff’s deputy that he was involved in the dog’s death. He said he shot the dog in the face while the animal was behind a shed. according to affidavit
Ferris said he first shot the dog with a rubber ball. Then he entered the house to fetch the crossbow. He added that the dog had not harmed his two dogs or anyone else. But he did not back down and, according to the affidavit, Ferris shot the dog. Later, blood flowed from his mouth. according to affidavit
The battery and aggravated assault charges were linked to a Ferris wheel incident with his neighbor. He was accused of threatening a neighbor with a knife.
The settlement called for Ferris to serve eight years in prison. Benton County Speedway Judge Robin Green previously denied a request to sentence him to six years.
Green set another condition to agree to the deal: she didn’t think Ferris should come into contact with any animals. because he pleaded guilty to murdering a dog
Spruell told Judge Ferris had assistance animals. Spruell asked Ferris if he was willing to comply with Judge’s terms.
“I guess I’m going to get rid of my domestic animals,” said Ferris.
In addition to his prison sentence, Ferris was ordered to enroll in an anger management program and follow instructions.
In January 2020, Ferris pleaded guilty to aggravated assault after admitting to shooting a man wearing a bulletproof vest. He was placed on state probation for five years.
The deputy sheriff interviewed Ferris on March 31, 2019, at Mercy Hospital in Rogers County. Ferris said he had been shot six times, once in the chest and five times in the back. while defending a man he called “property”, according to court documents.
Ferris later said Deputy Director Christopher Hicks shot him once while he was wearing a bulletproof vest. Ferris said he shot Hicks five times while he was wearing the vest. According to court documents, no bullets penetrated the vest.
Hicks said Ferris shot him about five times while he was wearing the vest, but Hicks said he refused to shoot Ferris, who then shot himself while wearing the vest. according to court documents
The charges against Hicks were dismissed after Ferris admitted to shooting himself while wearing a vest.