RAEFORD, NORTH CAROLINA - The Ashville Humane Society was just a part of an action today to seize almost 600 animals involved in an animal cruelty case in Hoke County.
Authorities discovered more than 300 dogs, 250 cats, and 40 horses being kept in filthy conditions, many without protection from the elements.
“Well you’ve got animals out here with open wounds, you’ve got animals out here with skin conditions,” said Capt. John Kivett, who also noticed that some of the animals appear to be suffering from malnutrition.
The owners of The Haven were promptly arrested on charges of animal cruelty.
The Asheville Humane Society will work with authorities to help care for the animals until custody of the animals is determined by a court.
“What we found today at this facility—self-described as ‘North Carolina’s most successful no-kill shelter’-is unacceptable”, stated Tim Rickey, senior vice president of ASPCA Field Investigations and Response. “This is one of the largest animal seizures the ASPCA has ever conducted in our 150 years as an organization. We have a team of nearly 140 responders on the ground to remove and care for these hundreds of neglected animals who have clearly not been receiving adequate care. Our goal is to help them become healthy and ultimately find them homes.”
The ASPCA Field Investigations and Response team is currently providing medical attention to some of the animals who are in critical condition on the property and the ASPCA’s Forensic Sciences team is collecting evidence to support the criminal case. They will also remove the animals and transport them to a temporary shelter in an undisclosed location over the next few days, where the animals will receive medical exams and also behavioral assessments. The ASPCA will continue to care for these animals at the temporary shelter until custody is determined by the court and will provide ongoing legal support until resolution of the criminal case.
“The condition of these animals is pressing and required immediate attention,” stated Hoke County Sheriff Hubert Peterkin. “In addition to protecting Hoke County citizens, law enforcement has an obligation to ensure the safety and well being of Hoke County animals at all times. We cannot and will not allow this type of mistreatment to continue any longer. All persons involved will be held accountable.”
The Haven has been operating without a true license and in violation of many requirements in the North Carolina Animal Welfare Act for at least ten years. The population of animals at the facility has fluctuated over the years, previously reaching more than 1,000 animals at times. Past inspections by the Department of Agriculture deemed the facility “inadequate,” citing the large number of animals as well as sick /or injured animals without access to water.
Agencies who assisted the ASPCA with the removal, transport and sheltering operation include: Asheville Humane Society (Asheville, N.C.); Charleston Animal Society (North Charleston, S.C.); Cumberland County Animal Services (Fayetteville, N.C.); Humane Society of Greater Savannah (Savannah, Ga.); Loving Friends Transport (Clear Water, Fla.); North Carolina Specialized Mobile Animal Rescue Team (Spring Lake, N.C.); Wake County Animal Center- (Raleigh, N.C.); St. Hubert’s Animal Welfare Center (Madison, N.J.); Wayside Waifs (Kansas City, Mo.); and 808 Equine Rescue (Ewa Beach, Hawaii).