Mark Hansen

     A rural Mountain Home man has been arrested on three crimes after Baxter County Sheriff's Deputies responded to a disturbance Sunday evening, December 26th.

     On that date, the Sheriff's Office received a report from 133 Campbell Place at approximately 10:41 PM indicating that the caller was being chased by a man with a knife who was threatening to kill him.  The suspect named was Mark Hansen, and the caller/victim indicated that Hansen had already stabbed a dog in the neck that belonged to the caller.

     When deputies arrived, they made contact with both the caller/victim and with Mark Hansen, and they began to investigate.  The caller/victim stated that he had been staying in a camper in the back yard of the property.  The caller/victim advised that Hansen came out of the residence and started an argument with him.  Hansen allegedly pulled out a knife and said several times that "I am going to kill you", referring to the caller/victim.  The caller/victim said he then called the 9-1-1 center and stated that Hansen was running toward him with.  A dog belonging to the caller/victim moved towards Hansen, and Hansen stabbed the dog in the neck area.  The caller/victim told deputies that Mark Hansen had been exhibiting signs of an altered mental state during the past week or more.

     After Hansen stabbed the dog, the victim grabbed a wooden club to try and defend himself.  A neighbor then showed up at the scene to see what was happening, and deputies arrived immediately thereafter.

     Hansen denied to deputies that he had threatened the caller/victim, but he admitted to stabbing the dog after it "charged" him.  The knife used was seized and taken into evidence.

     The dog was seen to have a deep laceration on its front left shoulder.  The victim advised he was calling a veterinarian and would be taking the dog to have the wound examined.

     Mark Hansen, 40 years old, was placed under arrest and transported to the Baxter County Detention Center.  He was arrested on charges of:

Terroristic Threatening - Felony
Aggravated Assault - Felony
Cruelty to Animals - Felony

     Hansen is being held in lieu of $25,000 bond, and he will appear before the Circuit Court to answer on January 10th.

/s/ John F. Montgomery,
Baxter County Sheriff