I received a letter this past week from a reader who shares my concerns about animal welfare issues. She asked if I would remind readers about the animal abuse laws now in place in Arkansas and to reiterate the needs of organizations such as the Union County Animal Protection Society – or similar groups in Columbia and Ouachita counties.

I’ll happily offer a reminder, but the concerned woman’s words are as good as any I could offer:

“I have been noticing a lot of dogs chained out in the rain and cold weather without a dog house or anywhere to get in out of the weather,”...