photo by: Kim Callahan/Journal-World

The Douglas County Judicial and Law Enforcement Center is pictured on Sept. 4, 2024.

A Eudora man is facing three misdemeanor counts of animal cruelty after allegedly neglecting three dogs.

Russell Carl Smith, 21, is accused of violating a state statute that requires that animals in one’s custody be provided with food, potable water, protection from the elements, opportunity for exercise and other care.

The charges — naming the dogs Diesel, Dixie and Princess – were filed in February, and Smith was arraigned on Thursday. The charging document says that Smith “unlawfully and knowingly” had physical custody of the animals.

Court records indicate that Smith is not indigent. His next court date is April 22.

The penalty range for each count is up to one year in the county jail and/or a fine of up to $2,500.

More details about the case were not immediately available.