Please sign this petition in support for the need for cruelty charges to be filed against the owner of beagles found dead and starving in Maiden, NC. One of the survivors, McMurray, had lost one leg and in another few hours would have lost a second one. The surviving beagles were starving and eating the dead ones's carcasses.
You may also contact the prosecuting District Attorney in Catawba County, James Gaither at 828-695-6110 to voice your concern over this situation.Read the full article.
Dogs found dead, starving (3/25/2011)
Authorities said more than 75 dogs were found dead on a Maiden property Tuesday while a number of other dogs found still living appeared to be on the brink of starvation.
Catawba County Animal Services was reportedly called to the residence where they found a number of beagles in addition to one red-boned hound and two dogs of mixed breed.
The owner of the property, Bill Hewitt, 68, of H.E. Propst Road in Maiden, reportedly came to the shelter Wednesday and said he had been in the hospital since Sunday for treatment for a cold.
He also told authorities that he had someone look after the dogs and property while he was away, according to Animal Services Manager Jay Blatche.
However, when authorities asked Hewitt for the man%u2019s address or name, he was unable to produce any information but described the individual as Mexican.
Animal Services said they found as many as 100 dogs at various stages of composition on the property with some in cages and others eating the carcasses. Several of the dogs also had collars and nametags.
According to Blatche, Hewitt took in a number of dogs to train, but it%u2019s difficult to determine how many belonged to Hewitt and how many belonged to other owners.
Blatche said all owners have been contacted regarding the situation and live dogs have been returned to their owners.
However, three of the 16 live dogs seized from the property were rushed to an emergency vet for treatment.
Blatche said one of the dogs taken to the vet had to be euthanized while another had multiple bites on its leg and would more than likely need to have it amputated. However, they are reportedly trying to save the limb.
Once the two dogs are treated, Blatche said they will be taken to the county shelter and put up for adoption.
Authorities do believe that the dogs were more than likely starved to death
It also wasn%u2019t the first time Animal Services had visited Hewitt%u2019s residence.
Authorities were called to the property last summer for unsanitary conditions and reportedly found several dogs with out-of-date rabies vaccinations.
Blatche said Hewitt complied with Animal Services%u2019 instructions and cleaned up the area as well as got the dogs vaccinated.
Evidence in the case has reportedly been turned over to the county%u2019s District Attorney%u2019s Office who is investigating the situation, and no charges have currently been issued against Hewitt.
However, Catawba County District Attorney James Gaither said they are waiting for local law enforcement officials to send them a prosecution summary before moving ahead with any felony or misdemeanor charges. Gaither also noted there%u2019s a possibility Hewitt could not be charged.
However, he said the district attorney%u2019s office will review animal abuse statutes and other case evidence and have a consensus in 30 to 45 days.
