JASPER, Ark. (AP) - The Humane Society of the United States says a recent Newton County criminal case illustrates the need for stricter animal cruelty laws in Arkansas.

Forty-one-year-old Larry Cummings was charged Friday after allegedly burglarizing the home of Gladys Morse on November 7th and encouraging a 15-year-old to kick and stomp Morse's dogs.

Prosecutors say Cummings entered a dog pen that same day, on the property of Eula Finch, and used a cattle prod to repeatedly shock two small dogs.

Cummings, who has at least four prior felony convictions, was charged as an habitual offender with felony burglary, two counts of animal cruelty, and contributing to the delinquency of a minor.

Prosecutors say Cummings burglarized Morse's home to hurt the dogs.

The juvenile also was charged with felony burglary and two counts of animal cruelty.

Animal cruelty in Arkansas is a misdemeanor and egislative attempts to make the offense a felony have failed in recent
sessions.

The Humane Society says Arkansas' animal cruelty law is one of the nation's weakest. Only four other states have no felony animal cruelty law: Idaho, Mississippi, North Dakota and South Dakota.

(Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)