North Carolina: Stephen Spear and Linden Spear who were, according to police, running sham no-kill shelter called The Haven, appear in court

NORTH CAROLINA -- Dozens of dead animals were found at The Haven-Friends for Life shelter in Raeford, the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals said Thursday.

"The animals were in various locations throughout the property described as dump or burial sites," said Kelly Krause, a spokeswoman for the agency.

 

"We haven't been able to decide how long the animals have been deceased for,'' she said. "Our forensics team is working on determining that."

 

The deceased animals were found Wednesday and Thursday as the no-kill shelter's operators, 67-year-old registered sex offender Stephen Spear and 59-year-old Linden Spear, made their first court appearance in Hoke County on four counts of animal cruelty charges and three counts of possession of a controlled substance.

 

During the couple's brief court appearance, District Court Judge Amy Wilson read the charges against them.

The Spears waived their rights to a court-appointed lawyer and said they hired Pinehurst lawyer James Van Camp.

James Van Camp:
I'm assuming because he
posed with his dogs he's
going to tell us he's an
animal lover?

Van Camp did not return a request for comment.

The couple's next court date is Feb. 10.

The Spears declined to speak to a Fayetteville Observer reporter after the hearing.

"Our attorney said not to make any comment," Stephen Spear said as his wife shook her head.

 

 

 

 

 

(Faye Observer - Jan 29, 2016)

Earlier:

• North Carolina: Stephen Joseph Spear and Linden Spear collected your donation money and starved the 600 ANIMALS at their 'no kill' shelter, say police