GREENSBORO
The owner of a Pleasant Garden kennel and an employee have been charged with multiple counts of animal cruelty following the seizure of 97 dogs from the business earlier this week.
Sheila Marie Savage, 53, the owner of Rush Kennel, and Robert Landreth, 61, a caretaker, were charged Friday with seven counts of felony animal cruelty and five counts of misdemeanor animal cruelty, The News & Record of Greensboro reported.
Late Friday, Landreth was released on a $5,000 bond; Savage posted a $10,000 bond and was released.
Authorities have said more charges are possible as an investigation continues.
"She is resolved to see this through. I feel my client will be vindicated," said Kent Lively, Savage's attorney, as the woman was booked into jail Friday afternoon. "I think she has taken good care of her animals as entrusted to the care of Rush Kennel."
The case comes after a four-month investigation at the facility. It started with a letter from a Pennsylvania couple to the Guilford County Sheriff's Office, according to a search warrant.
The couple had written to say the toy poodle they purchased at the kennel had "parasites that were sucking the life out of him" according to a veterinarian.
The dog suffered from worms and bloody stools and a veterinarian stated that based on his condition "it came from a very dirty place," the warrant states.
The investigation grew to include more than 14 complaints, authorities said.
An undercover deputy and animal control officer, posing as boyfriend and girlfriend, purchased a dog that was analyzed by a veterinarian with the Guilford County Animal Shelter.
"The dog ended up dying because it was full of worms, ill and was sold as a perfectly healthy dog," said Sheriff BJ Barnes. "We have received numerous calls from folks who were victimized."
According to the warrant, the complaints involved 18 dogs of varying breeds. In each case, the dog was sick, and some either died or had to be euthanized.
Health problems included dogs that had mange, worms, coughing, chronic vomiting, improperly removed dew claws, malnutrition, glaucoma, low blood sugar, heart failure, heart murmurs, loss of bladder control, diarrhea, constant bleeding, yeast infections, hip problems, anemia and ear mites, among other problems.
Many complaints dealt with dogs that wouldn't eat, were aggressive and lunged at people.
A South Carolina woman told an animal control officer she adopted a Weimaraner puppy in 2007 from Rush that she said developed social problems after turning one.
The dog, named "Sophie" attacked four people, including a 4-year-old girl.
"Sophie attacked a contractor at (the woman's) front door and "bit a huge chunk out of his leg and shredded his pants," the warrant states.
The woman hired a dog trainer, but the dog "broke through a door and attacked that trainer."
"Sophie" also attacked three dogs before the family finally had her euthanized last May.
Many of the complaints also stated that Savage was unresponsive when issues were presented to her by often denying the medical problems and refusing to give refunds.
The warrant states in many cases there were discrepancies over the dogs' birth dates, parents, ages and medical histories.
Barnes said compiling the information took time.
"We didn't want to have a losing case," Barnes said. "We wanted to make sure what we had was real and make sure it stood up in court."
Lively said his client is looking forward to clearing her name.
"All we ask is a fair shake," Lively said. "My client is concerned about animals. She's an animal lover. She wouldn't do anything to harm any animals or give them less than good care, and she's been at this a long time."
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