$1,000 reward for Lenoir Co. animal abuse arrest

13 abandoned hunting dogs investigation

By: Arthur Mondale | WNCT-On Your Side
Published: February 17, 2010

The Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals and the Lenoir County Sheriff's Office are investigating what they call one of the worst instances of animal abuse in Lenoir County.
This comes after someone abandoned 13 “walker hounds” at the Lenoir County Animal Shelter late Sunday night.
Workers with Lenoir County’s Animal Shelter and SPCA found 13 abandoned hunting dogs when they arrived at work at 8:30am on Monday.
The dogs are aggressive--emaciated--and fighting to survive.
"So severe that they ate one of their own--they resorted to cannibalism,” said Lenoir SPCA & Animal Control officer Michael Westfall. “That is not a common dog behavior."
Every year the staff encounters dozens of similar cases. Often hunters dispose of hounds that are too old to hunt---or starve the dogs based on the myth they'll hunt more aggressively.
Westfall adds, “If pit bulls can't fight because it's against the law--then why should walker hounds be allowed to starve."
But finding the culprit is another mystery. None of the hounds wore collars, ID or rabies tags.
But surveillance video has been turned over to the Lenoir County Sheriff's Office.
But advocates say more people should call authorities if they know animals are being mistreated.

Authorities say the dogs are in such bad shape, most will have to be put to sleep
The SPCA and the Lenoir County Sheriff's Office are offering a $1,000 reward for information that leads to an arrest. Call (252) 559-6140.