Sign: Man Charged After Nailing Dog To Plywood Sign

Published: March 20, 2024 at 12:01 AM Author: PENNY EIMS

Searcy, Arkansas – On March 6, Sheriff’s deputies in White County arrested a man accused of nailing a dog to a plywood sign at the junction of Panther Creek and Fairview roads. The gruesome incident happened in November 2023, prompting the White County Sheriff’s Office to open an investigation.

Their investigative work led them to Franklin Scott Smith, 36, of Searcy. Smith claims that someone dropped an “aggressive” dog off on his property.

The affidavit states that he, “put the dog down as quickly and painlessly as possible” by shooting it after he said it was “aggressive to other animals, livestock, and his family.”

But a necropsy on the dead dog’s body revealed that the dog DID suffer and was not put down “painlessly.” The exam showed that the dog had gunshot wounds in the snout and rear leg/hip area and experts believe the dog was alive when Smith nailed him to the sign.

The affidavit states:

“Based on the location and nature of the gunshot wounds, they do not appear that they would have rendered the animal immediately deceased or without pain.”

Chuck Niementowski, with the local animal shelter, told The Daily Citizen:

“When they brought the dog to the shelter, the dog was still on that board. They had trouble removing the spikes and a shelter worker that received the dog was saying there was blood all over the place so that meant that had to happen Sunday morning or it wouldn’t be bleeding like that. It’s sort of like the crucification, the crucified-type thing where he nailed it to the board. I sure hope it was already dead.”

EDITOR’S NOTE: The Daily Citizen was sent an image of what was done to this dog. For those who want to view the entire image, it can be seen at: https://tinyurl.com/mvwc8evn

Franklin Scott Smith is charged with aggravated cruelty to a dog, cat, or equine, a Class D felony, along with a public display of obscenity and disorderly conduct, both misdemeanors. Smith is scheduled to appear in White County Circuit Court on April 2 for his plea and arraignment.

Class D felony
6 years imprisonment and $10,000 fine
ARK. CODE ANN. § 5-4-201(a)(2)
ARK. CODE ANN. § 5-4-401(a)(5)

If you are horrified by this gruesome incident, please add your name to the petition today!

We the undersigned demand that Franklin Scott Smith face the maximum sentence for the charges of aggravated cruelty to a dog, cat, or equine, a Class D felony, along with  public display of obscenity and disorderly conduct. This petition acts as our collective endorsement for Smith to be punished to the fullest extent of the law for shooting and torturing this dog, causing immeasurable pain and suffering. 

Individuals are presumed innocent until found guilty in a court of law. Animal Victory relies upon the authorities and the court system to determine guilt or innocence.

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Update 3/10/2025: Pre-Trial Hearing for Franklin Scott Smith, Case #73CR-24-84 has been moved to 07/08/2025 at 9:00 a.m. Law Enforcement Center Courtroom, 17 Circuit Division 2, Judge Pate presiding. Prosecuting Attorney: John Pettie. Trial has been moved to: 08/18/2025 at 9:00 a.m. and 08/19/2025 at 9:00 a.m.

Update 3/3/2025: Animal Victory sent petition to the attorney with updated signatures. 

Update 12/31/2024: Pre-trial hearing for Franklin Scott Smith, Case #73CR-24-84 is at 03/04/2025 at 9:00 a.m. Law Enforcement Center Courtroom, 17 Circuit Division 2, Judge Pate presiding.Prosecuting Attorney: John.Pettie@arkansas.gov

Update 11/19/2024: Animal Victory sent petition to the attorney and judge with updated signatures. 

Update 10/11/2024: Franklin Scott Smith, Case # 73CR-24-84. Next hearing is 12/04/2024 at 1:00 P.M. which is a pre-trial hearing. Location: White County Law Enforcement Center. This building is located at 1600 East Booth Searcy, Arkansas. Special Victims Deputy Prosecuting Attorney. John.Pettie@arkansas.gov.

Update 9/22/2024: Animal Victory sent petition to the attorney and judge with updated signatures. 

Update 8/20/2024: The next Pre-Trial Hearing for Franklin Scott Smith is 10/09/2024 at 9:00 a.m. 17th Circuit Division 2.  Case ID:  73CR-24-84.  Smith has been charged with Aggravated Cruelty to a dog, cat, or horse.  Public Display of Obscenity, and Disorderly conduct.

Update 7/2/2024: Animal Victory sent petition to the attorney and judge with updated signatures. 

Update 5/16/2024: Court case #73CR-24-84. The Pretrial hearing is scheduled on 8/14/2024 at 9:00 a.m. in White County, Searcy, Arkansas, Law Enforcement CTR Courtroom, Circuit Court, 17 Circuit Division 2. John D. Pettie is the prosecuting attorney.

Update 4/9/2024: Animal Victory sent petition to the attorney and judge. 

Man Charged After Nailing Dog To Plywood Sign

26,180 signatures = 105% of goal
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Latest Signatures
26,180 Debra P. 0 Apr 01, 2025
26,179 Linda J. Horrific punishment inflicted on this poor dog. Unforgivable! Jail time for the culprit 0 Mar 31, 2025
26,178 Janet F. 0 Mar 31, 2025
26,177Anonymous 0 Mar 29, 2025
26,176Anonymous 0 Mar 28, 2025
26,175 Patricia H. 0 Mar 27, 2025
26,174 Donna H. Something needs to be done, this killing of dogs whether from surrendering to Shelters, abandoning and cruelty. We need to stop and figure it out. Have mandatory spay/neuter laws. And help if can't afford, so there's no excuse. Except medical, note from Veterinarian. 0 Mar 27, 2025
26,173 Diana L. Too EX of a sentence Higher penalties must be enforced 0 Mar 27, 2025
26,172 Marina V. Only a sick mind can think of such cruelty!! 0 Mar 27, 2025
26,171Anonymous 0 Mar 26, 2025
26,170 Brittney C. This monster deserves torture. End of story 0 Mar 26, 2025
26,169 Sharon H. 0 Mar 26, 2025
26,168 Eva T. 0 Mar 26, 2025
26,167 David T. 🤬🤬🤬🤬🤬🤬🤬🤬🤬🤬🤬🤬🤬🤬😡😡😡😡😡😡😡😡🤮🤮🤮🤮☠️☠️☠️☠️☠️☠️ 0 Mar 26, 2025
26,166 Jessica J. 0 Mar 26, 2025
26,165 Laura T. Hope the legal system nails this ugly excuse of a human being to a jail cell and throws away the key. That would be kindness. 0 Mar 26, 2025
26,164 Barbara H. I pray to God that this evil, sadistic excuse for a human pays for the excruciating pain and suffering that he caused this poor dog. He tortured this dog slowly and left him/her to die a slow death. I implore the court to sentence him to the maximum time in prison. One can only hope that the inmates give him a taste of what it is to feel pain and suffering without mercy. 0 Mar 26, 2025
26,163 Janet N. 0 Mar 26, 2025
26,162 Cynthia W. 0 Mar 25, 2025
26,161 linda c. 0 Mar 25, 2025
26,160 Karen S. Do the same to him and if he survives, put him in prison! 0 Mar 25, 2025
26,159Anonymous 0 Mar 25, 2025
26,158 Laura S. This man needs to suffer the consequences of his action and serve time for this vicious crime. 0 Mar 25, 2025
26,157 Elizabeth S. This monster needs to be put away why? This dog did not deserve this if he gets away with what he did he'll do it again this might not be the first time no one knows but this dog deserves justice let's pray this innocent dog gets justice. 0 Mar 25, 2025
26,156 Traulane A. 0 Mar 25, 2025
26,155 Anita A. G. This monster should be incarcerated for decades and receive the same punishment he gave the poor dog. 0 Mar 25, 2025
26,154 Jennifer G. 0 Mar 25, 2025
26,153 Pearl P. 0 Mar 25, 2025
26,152 Linda G. Do the same thing to him. 0 Mar 25, 2025
26,151 Monica M. Is disgusting excuse for a human being should be punished to the highest extent of the law for his cruelty 0 Mar 25, 2025
26,150 Lorraine F. 0 Mar 25, 2025
26,149 Paige R. This sociopath is a danger to society. He enjoys hurting defenseless animals & humans. The key to his cell shud be thrown away. 0 Mar 25, 2025
26,148 Nanci A. Please put that monster away for the rest of his miserable life! What he did to that poor innocent dog is beyond horrible! How can any human ignore how sick this man is! He is a menace to society, animals and people! He will do it again if set free! Please let him pay for horrible pain this innocent dog suffered! Please! 0 Mar 25, 2025
26,147 Lydia K. 0 Mar 25, 2025
26,146 Fournier F. C'es pas le monde qui es mauvait mais certains "individus". Et le mot es bien faible. C'es a nous tous de respecter et proteger les animaux. Eux aussi en le droit d'avoir une vie saine sur ce planête. Eux aussi souffre. Eux aussi sont dramatiser. Vous êtes bien au courant. Aucuns de nous a le droit de faire une telle souffrance et barberie envers les animaux innocents. Aucuns de nous es en dessus du tous. Vous êtes des humains réagissez et aidez humaines, s.v.p. Une peine s'évère et plus d'entretien d'animaux pour lui. Donnez a lui également un projet carecativ pour s'occuper sont temp. Normalement, en es né avec un cerveau. Chez eux en va le chercher sans espoir. Assez la fausse tolérance, par exemple: ils ont eux une enfançe diffiçile. Ils sont malades. Non. C'es simplement des "lâches" et des "faibles". Point. Bien sûr il fallait faire exactement le même act de cruelity avec eux ce qu'ils font subir aux animaux. Posez la loie es la maltraitance et la barberie envers les animaux innocents va dimuniée. C'es bien prouver que les animaux sont les meilleurs humains vis a vis de certains soit disant "humains". Ils sont plus propres, civilisez et intéligents que eux. Aucuns de nous a le droit de faire une telle souffrance et barberie envers les animaux innocents. Aucuns de nous es en dessus du tous. Ce "individu " a clouer cette pauvre créature. Il existe bien un petit mot autour du monde. La Conscience. Justice soit fait. Merci beaucoup a vous au nom du pauvre chien pour votre engagement et votre soutient. Madames.Messieurs. Cordialement. 0 Mar 25, 2025
26,145Anonymous 0 Mar 25, 2025
26,144 Cyndi G. 0 Mar 25, 2025
26,143Anonymous 0 Mar 25, 2025
26,142 Rebecca S. 0 Mar 25, 2025
26,141 Vicki H. I have no words…I hope there is Justice for this dog…🙏🏻 0 Mar 25, 2025
26,140 Stephanie C. If there was blood everywhere, the dog was still alive with a beating heart when nailed to the board. This is a heinous act and he deserves a lengthy prison sentence and a stealthy fine. 0 Mar 25, 2025
26,139 Robyn B. 0 Mar 25, 2025
26,138 Patricia K. Sick monster. 0 Mar 24, 2025
26,137Anonymous 0 Mar 24, 2025
26,136 Linda D. It totally infuriates me to hear of such stories and sadly enough this won`t be the last ! People let there stressfull lives out on their dogs... 0 Mar 24, 2025
26,135 June W. 0 Mar 24, 2025
26,134 Kevin A. 0 Mar 24, 2025
26,133 Jeanette C. These are the type of humans that should be unalived. Pathetic and disgusting, irredeemable scum. 0 Mar 24, 2025
26,132 Dawn A. 0 Mar 24, 2025
26,131 Linda R. Should be in jail and never gets out. 0 Mar 24, 2025