Using the FIRAC Paradigm

Choose one of the legal situations below and construct a FIRAC paradigm analysis of the legal issue. Use only the authority (the statute or case) which is provided with the problem.

Situation #1

Joe Smith was driving from his home in Little Rock, AR, to Bentonville, AR. Traveling with him was his dachshund, Zippy. Zippy was riding in the back seat of Joe's car. When Joe stopped at a highway rest stop, he opened the door to let Zippy take a bathroom break but did not put Zippy's leash on. Zippy jumped out of the car and ran into the woods, and Joe was unable to find her. According to the statute and case below, has Joe committed the offense of Cruelty to Animals?

A person commits the offense of cruelty to animals if he or she knowingly abandons an animal at a location without providing for the animal's continued care. Ark. Code Ann. § 5-62-103 (West).

An act or failure to act is "knowingly done" if done voluntarily and intentionally and not because of mistake or accident or some other innocent reason. Sewell v. United States, 406 F.2d 1289 (8th Cir. 1969).