North Carolina: Telicia Upshaw and Centhari Thomas accused of leaving pit bulls to starve to death

NORTH CAROLINA -- A woman has been arrested in Onslow County and charged with animal cruelty. Another suspect is still trying to be located.

On Oct. 23, the Onslow County Animal Services responded to a call regarding deceased animals at 269 Drummer Kellum Road in Jacksonville.

Animal control officers found five dead dogs, described as pit bull mixes. Two were located in a fenced area and three confined to small metal crates. Two of the dogs in the crates were dead and a third was emaciated.

OCAS obtained a search warrant on Oct. 24 to verify no other animals were inside the home and to attempt to gain information on the dogs’ owners.

Warrants for two people who live at the home were issued.

On Oct. 27, Telicia Upshaw was arrested and taken into custody. She is facing felony charges of killing an animal by starvation and one misdemeanor charge of cruelty to animals. Her bond was set at $11,000.

The second suspect, Centhari Thomas (Her name may actually be Cynteria Thomas), is also wanted on the same charges but has not been arrested.

If you have information on Thomas or the case, call the Onslow County Sheriff’s Office at (910) 455-3113 or Onslow County Animal Services at (910) 455-0812 and press 1.

(WCTI - Nov 7, 2016)