According to a press release issued by the Burke County Sheriff’s Office on Tuesday, Jeremy L. Price, 27, of Abee Farm Street was arrested Monday, charged with one count of animal cruelty.
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| Jeremy L. Price |
Authorities say Sheriff’s Deputy William Beck was dispatched Aug. 30 to check on the welfare of an animal on Price’s property. Reports say that after Beck arrived at the site he discovered a dead black and white female pit bull with a light pink collar lying by the side of Price’s mobile home. The dog was tied up with a chain that was placed directly around the dog's neck and not attached to a collar.
After attempting to contact someone on the property and receiving no response, officials say Beck seized the dog and transported the body to the Burke County Animal Shelter for medical analysis.
While the N.C. Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services out of Arden conducted a necropsy of the dead animal, the sheriff’s office says Beck discovered two more dogs living at Price’s residence.
Under the authority of a search warrant, Beck returned to Price’s home and removed two more pit bulls from the site and placed them in veterinary care. One was a black pit bull and the other was a small pit bull puppy. Both dogs were in very poor condition.
After reports showed that the deceased dog had died from starvation and the two living dogs were in very poor condition, Beck issued a felony warrant on Price for cruelty to animals.
Price was apprehended in Caldwell County and placed under arrest.
The suspect was confined at Burke-Catawba District Confinement Facility under a $1,000 secured bond.
Price’s first appearance in court is scheduled for Sept. 13.
(Morganton News Herald - September 11, 2012)
