North Carolina: Heather Bentley arrested after starving dogs found by police

NORTH CAROLINA -- A Selma woman is facing animal cruelty charges after police found a dead dog chained up in the woman’s yard as well as other malnourished animals.

On April 10, Selma police were dispatched to 813 Southern St. in reference to an unattended dog.

Cpl. Sergio Guzman spoke with 18-year-old Mariah Bentley and asked her if she had any dogs, according to a report. Bentley told Guzman that she had three dogs and they had given them away.

While speaking to Bentley, documents show that Guzman could see a pit bull chained up with signs of malnutrition.

Guzman indicated in the report that he could see the dog’s ribs and hip bones and its eyes were covered in green mucus.

 

 

Guzman asked if there was another dog and Bentley said there was one other dog. Guzman located the animal, which appeared to have been dead for a while, the report indicated.

Guzman also located empty or dried up containers. Guzman contacted animal control who met him at the home.

Bentley’s mother, Heather Bentley, was identified as the owner of the property. Ms. Bentley said the dogs were not hers and that the owner, Ronald Bradley, left them there three months ago and moved to Georgia.

Bentley told Guzman that she didn’t have time to take care of the animals or take them to a shelter when asked why they had not been fed.

 

 

“We’re trying to find out a little bit about what happened to the dogs can we chat with you for a moment. We are the only ones here right now and we’re not supposed to talk to anyone,” said Bentley’s daighter-in-law, Lillian Young.

Heather Bentley was arrested and charged with animal cruelty. She was taken to the Johnston County Jail.

(WNCN - April 13, 2016)