Hempstead County Man Found Guilty of Violating Animal Control Ordinance

Hempstead County resident Jimmy Singleton was found guilty on Tuesday, November 4, of violating the county’s ordinance on uncontrolled animals.

District Court Judge Dana Stone found Singleton guilty of Hempstead County Ordinance No. 25-10, which was enacted earlier this year by the Hempstead County Quorum Court. The verdict followed a bench trial.

According to court records, the case began on September 27 when Hempstead County Sheriff’s Deputy Kristen Evans responded to a call at Southwest Arkansas Regional Medical Center in Hope. Hospital staff reported that a 4-year-old boy was being treated for multiple dog bites to his face.

An investigation by Hempstead County Investigator Jeremy McBride determined that the dog involved—a German Shepherd—belonged to Singleton. Investigators found that Singleton had allowed the dog to leave his residence and roam in an unfenced yard before the child was injured.

The case was prosecuted by Eighth North Judicial District Deputy Prosecutor Denver Lockhart.