Bertie Co. animal cruelty case

  Law officers pulled dozens of dogs from a Lewiston home and animal cruelty charges may soon follow. 
  On Thursday, after repeatedly complaints about foul smells and noise coming from a home on Mitchell Street, Lewiston police found 46 dogs and three cats in the home.
  Police chief Winston Panton says ammonia levels were so high, they had to call the fire department to ventilate the site.
    Investigators say many of the animals were underweight and sick but they don’t believe 68-year-old Stephen Kypriandes meant to hurt them.
    “He loves the dogs no doubt about that,” said Lewiston Police Chief Winston Panton.  “But the care that he takes to try to do for the dogs is not working.“
    Four agencies are investigating the case.
    Bertie County Sheriff Charles Atkins says Kypriandes may face misdemeanor animal cruelty charges, but a complete investigation will be the determining factor.