Nineteen dogs neglected
Charlotte, NC (US)Incident Date: Monday, Oct 15, 2007
County: Mecklenburg
Disposition: Alleged
Alleged: Michael McClain
Animal Control officers removed 19 dogs they say were dirty, starving and sick from a Charlotte home. The animals' owner has been charged with cruelty.
Neighbors complained about dog fighting and that's why Animal Control officers went to the home on Nelson Avenue. They weren't able to prove the pit bulls fought, but it was clear they badly needed help. The dogs are safe now and being properly cared for by Animal Control.
"He was kind of like his babies, he say that my babies, but sometimes things happen for a reason," said Herman Moore, the suspect's neighbor.
Adrian McClain, 26, was arrested and charged with cruelty to animals. Officers say they found dogs whose hair was caked with feces, another dog with a case of mange, and a house covered in urine and feces.
But outside, neighbors had the impression that he took care of his dogs.
"He told everybody he be feeding them and stuff," said neighbor Corey Adams.
"So as far as you know he took care of them?" asked WCNC.
"Yes sir," Adams said.
But the dogs generated fear along the dead end west Charlotte street.
"I remember one time he's having a cookout and one of them came over the fence," Moore said. "Just so happen he was on the end of the chain at the same time but he was still over the fence and we thought about what could have been."
The neighbors we talked to didn't have any hard feelings toward McClain, but at the same time they don't want to see the dogs come back.
"Neighbors are alright, but the dogs … you can never trust a beast," Moore said.
McClain was arrested last Monday. A look at his record shows nothing serious up to now.
Animal Control officers say they have talked to him before about the number of dogs he could care for, but he didn't seem to get the message. References« NC State Animal Cruelty Map
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