Charleston Man Faces 17 Animal Cruelty Charges After Sick Dogs, Skeletal Remains Found On Property

CHARLESTON, Ark. – A Charleston man has been formally charged with 17 counts of animal cruelty after Franklin County deputies allegedly found sick and neglected dogs, skeletal remains and dead ducks on his 28-acre property.

Charles Richard Ostendorf, 56, was charged Monday in Franklin County Circuit Court with 14 felony counts of aggravated cruelty to a dog, cat or equine and three misdemeanor counts of cruelty to animals.

The Franklin County Sheriff’s Office began investigating Sept. 6 after receiving a report about animals on Ostendorf’s property on Anice Road, according to a probable cause affidavit. KATV reported that a FedEx driver photographed the dogs and that the pictures made their way to a local rescue group, which contacted law enforcement.

Deputies who went to the property saw numerous dogs in “extremely poor condition,” the affidavit said. The animals were dirty, scratching continuously, had exposed skin and appeared to be suffering from untreated medical conditions.

A deputy found a dog inside the residence that appeared lethargic and was barely breathing. The dog would not respond or move when the deputy tried to get it outside, the affidavit said.

Ostendorf allegedly told deputies he had nine dogs and claimed they were being fed and treated. Deputies noted discrepancies concerning the amount of dog food on the property and the medication Ostendorf claimed he was using, the affidavit said.

Deputies also saw a cat with apparent injuries. Ostendorf allegedly told them the dogs had eaten other cats, the affidavit said.

Animal rescue organizations helped remove the animals. Jak’s Second Chance Rescue Ranch took seven dogs, one of which later died, and a cat that needed veterinary treatment, according to the affidavit. The Charleston Animal Shelter took in two dogs, one of which required emergency veterinary care.

The Artemis Project removed another dog and a goat. The dog was weak, barely able to walk and suffering from severe dental deterioration, and the goat’s hooves were significantly overgrown, the affidavit said.

“They definitely would not have survived another day out in that heat,” Jenny Bridges, the rescue ranch’s director, told KATV.

Lt. Brad Pitts and other officers searched the property with a warrant Sept. 8. They found overgrown and poorly maintained pens, areas where dogs appeared to have been sleeping on trash and debris, stacks of dirty food and water bowls and no adequate source of water, the affidavit said.

The only significant supply of dog food on the property was two bags that had been brought there by the person who first reported the animals’ condition, the affidavit said.

Officers found three sets of skeletal remains believed to be dogs in different places on the property and two dead ducks in a kennel near the house, the affidavit said.

Investigators documented 17 affected animals: 13 dogs, two ducks, a cat and a goat.

“Animal cruelty will not be ignored in Franklin County,” the sheriff’s office said in a statement. “When people speak up, cooperate with law enforcement, and work together, cases like this can be stopped.”

Ostendorf was arrested at about 12:30 a.m. Sept. 7, jail records show. A judge found probable cause to hold him Sept. 9 and set bail at $10,000 cash only, according to a court order.

The order bars Ostendorf from owning, possessing or being in the presence of any animal or pet. He must also obtain a mental health assessment that will be reviewed by the judge before he can be released from custody.

Ostendorf remained in the Franklin County jail Monday, records show.

Aggravated cruelty to a dog, cat or equine is a Class D felony punishable by up to six years in prison and a fine of up to $10,000 on each count. The misdemeanor counts each carry up to a year in the county jail and a fine of up to $1,000.

The judge found Ostendorf indigent and appointed the public defender’s office to represent him. Prosecuting Attorney Jeff Phillips filed the charges.

Ostendorf is scheduled to appear in court Oct. 1. The case has been assigned to Circuit Judge James Dunham.