Law officers confirm investigation into allegations of animal abuse

An investigation into allegations of animal abuse that surfaced on social media April 5 are being conducted.

Ozark Police Chief Marlos Walker and Thirty-third Judicial Circuit District Attorney Kirke Adams confirmed April 6 that an investigation by law enforcement authorities on a state and local level is being conducted after a one minute, five second video clip of a white man with gray hair and a cat on a medical examination table went viral on Facebook the evening before.

“We are looking into the allegations and conducting interviews over the next several days,” Walker said, adding that he will make a report of findings when one is available.

Ozark Mayor Mark Blankenship, who was tagged in many of the Facebook posts, said that he is aware of the allegations. “I have complete confidence that Chief Marlos Walker will conduct a thorough investigation,” he said.