SALEM, Ore. - A Salem man accused of using a dog shock collar on his four children is facing criminal mistreatment charges.

Todd Marcum, 41, was arrested Tuesday and his children (ages 9, 8, 6 and 3) are now in the custody of their mother.  The case has also been referred to the Department of Human Services.

Investigators say Marcum put an electronic dog collar on his four children.  Police said he admitted to shocking all of them at least once because he thought it was funny.  He said he also got entertainment out of chasing his 3-year-old son around with the collar and making him cry at the thought of being shocked.

Marcum is being held at the Marion County jail on four counts of criminal mistreatment in the first-degree.

Neighbors who lived near the children's home expressed shock at news of the allegations against Marcum.

Folowing the arrest, police issued the following statement:

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.