Salem Police Say Man Used Dog Shock Collar on His Kids

The children, ages 9, 8, 6 and 3 were released to the custody of their mother and the case referred to DHS.

Police say 41-year old Todd Marcum shocked his kids with a dog collar because he thought it was funny.

(SALEM, Ore.) - Salem Police detectives have arrested a Salem father for using a dog shock collar on his four children. Salem Police Lt. Dave Okada says the man, 41-year old Todd Marcum, shocked the kids because he thought it was funny.

Marcum was arrested on May 5th on four counts of Criminal Mistreatment in the First Degree and transported to the Marion County Jail.

"The investigation revealed that Marcum put an electronic dog collar on his four children and he admitted to shocking all of them at least once because he thought it was funny," Okada said.

"He also got entertainment out of chasing his 3-year old son around with the collar and making him cry at just the thought of being shocked."

Okada says the children, ages 9, 8, 6 and 3 were released to the custody of their mother and the case referred to DHS.

"Although it should not be necessary, the Salem Police Department would like to remind people that shock collars and devices are not toys and should not be played with. These devices are designed to control disruptive or aggressive behavior and are not intended for amusement."