RANDOLPH COUNTY, N.C. (WGHP) — A person has been charged with animal cruelty after surrendering eight malnourished dogs.
According to the press launch, in March, animal providers was contacted when a number of dogs escaped from Michael Alan Meier’s property. Animal service officers investigated the welfare of the eight dogs and advised Meier he wanted to relocate the dogs by April 1 or give up them to animal management.
Meier contacted Happy Hills on Mar. 27 in an effort to relocate the dogs, in accordance to the sheriff’s workplace. Meier mentioned he wasn’t the proprietor of the dogs however mentioned they’d been in his take care of a number of months.
The subsequent day on Mar. 28, Happy Hills contacted Meier to make preparations for the dogs. They agreed to wait till April 1, to give the proprietor of the dogs an opportunity to take them. They agreed to come and get the dogs on April 2, in accordance to the discharge.
After Happy Hills took custody of the dogs, they contacted Randolph County Animal Services with extra particulars concerning the “severe conditions” of the eight dogs. They wanted veterinary care. After the dogs had been examined by a vet on April 12 and 14, a follow-up was handed to animal providers.
The sheriff’s workplace was notified on April 19 relating to what the vet discovered with the dogs. Each canine was extraordinarily underweight, malnourished and their fur was matted, and a few had medical circumstances that required therapy.
The subsequent week on April 25, the complete document from the veterinarian was accessible for investigators to evaluate, and on April 26 warrants had been issued for eight counts of felony cruelty to animals.
Meier turned himself in on Thursday. He was issued a $15,000 secured bond. According to the sheriff’s workplace, further prices may very well be forthcoming.