20 animals seized
Henderson, NC (US)Incident Date: Tuesday, Jan 8, 2008
County: Henderson
Disposition: Not Charged
Person of Interest: Konda Smith
Deputies with the Henderson County Sheriff's Office seized 20 animals from a Druid Hills home after years of complaints have been logged and a newly formed enforcement squad was created.
Henderson County Sheriff's Office Animal Enforcement Squad responded to 2330 Greater Druid Hills Blvd. on Tuesday.
The response was a follow-up visit related to complaints from neighbors and others dating back to July, Henderson County Sheriff's spokesman Joe Johnson said.
A record of complaints about excessive numbers of animals housed at the residence dates back about five years.
Johnson said Konda Smith, owner of the home, was in violation of the Kennel and Catteries Article (Article IV) of the Henderson County Animal Ordinance.
Animal Enforcement officers seized 14 dogs and six cats and transported them to the Henderson County Animal Shelter.
"This situation was resolved without incident and Ms. Smith was cooperative with our officers during this process," said Lt. Ben McKay, supervisor of the Animal Enforcement Squad. "She is currently within the guidelines and parameters of the Kennel and Catteries Article."
"This is a case in point where I believe the Sheriff's Office is enforcing the Animal Ordinance in the manner that the Board of Commissioners intended when they initially approved the kennels section of the ordinance," said Assistant County Manager Selena Coffey. "This is just one example of the many changes we have instituted to improve animal services in Henderson County."
Sheriff Rick Davis said: "This is a new experience for us at the Sheriff's Office and I am happy that we will be able to serve the people of Henderson County in this method."
"This is a new aspect of our duties and we take this process and this responsibility seriously," the sheriff said. "I am proud of our officers for resolving this situation without incident and I look forward to working with all levels of county government to ensure that the needs of our citizens are met. We now have the proper tools to address the issues of neglect, abuse and noise. This is a positive step forward to address the needs of our animals and our people in Henderson County."
The seizure comes as All Creatures Great and Small, a large no-kill animal shelter on Seventh Avenue, is facing a state deadline to adopt out all of its 600 dogs and cats by the end of this month. References« NC State Animal Cruelty Map
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