CURRITUCK Co., N.C. - Sixty-one dogs were rescued from "unsanitary and inhumane" living conditions in Currituck County on January 28.
Staff with Currituck Animal Services rescued the dogs - 47 adults and 14 puppies - from Bentwood Labradors in Moyock. The dogs were then taken to the county's animal shelter for care. Four of the dogs are at the Roanoke Island Animal Clinic for medical care.
Government officials say charges have been brought against the dogs' owner, Tim Warren, who is the business owner of Bentwood Labradors. He was charged with the following:
- 61 counts of failure to provide medical care, shelter, sanitary conditions, and adequate food and water.
- 8 counts of violating county's restraint ordinance
- 8 counts of nuisance animals
- 1 count of failing to provide in vet care in an animal's care
One dog was found dead, and several others were taken to get emergency medical treatment. The rest of the dogs are being assessed and cared for at the shelter.
Officials say the animal conditions were found because people had reported several stray dogs in Warren's business.
News 3 has reached out to county officials for more information on the situation. They say the adoption of the dogs depends on the seizure order of the dogs. The seizure order expires Friday, in which Warren has until then to appeal the order and try to get his dogs back.
Adoptions can start as early as next week, and it will depend on the weight of the dogs. Several of the dogs were found underweight and in bad health. None of the dogs have been violent and most of the dogs are very shy.
A veterinarian is scheduled to come in Wednesday to do a full check of all the dogs.
Currituck County officials say the easiest way the community can help is to make a monetary donation for medicine and dog care. Funds will also be used to get the dogs spayed and neutered. To make a donation, contact the Currituck County Animal Shelter at 252-453-8682.
Currituck Animal Control also provided an update Thursday, saying that there have been a large number of adoption applications and that some dogs will be ready for adoption before others.
The full statement is as follows:
In regards to the group of 61 dogs rescued by Currituck County Animal Control and Services on Friday, Jan. 28, 2022, the previous owner of the dogs officially relinquished ownership of the dogs today to Currituck County. As a result, the Currituck County Animal Shelter can now begin the process of making the dogs available for adoption as each dog’s health allows.
Anyone interested in adoption is asked to please be patient. There have been a large number of adoption applications received by the Animal Shelter. Some applicants have already been approved and staff will process remaining and new applications as quickly as they can, and will be contacting these individuals about adoption.
Several of the rescued dogs are receiving medical care. Therefore, some of the dogs will be ready for adoption before others. In addition to this group of rescues, there are also other dogs, and cats, at the Shelter that are currently ready for adoption.
Citizens may contact the Shelter for updates on the rescued dogs’ health and information about specific pets, at 252-453-8682. The Animal Shelter is open on the following schedule for anyone who wishes to view the available pets ready for adoption:
Monday - Closed
Tuesday - Saturday 12:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Sunday 1:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m.
