Hoarding - 46 dogs, 3 cats seized
Lewiston, NC (US)Incident Date: Thursday, May 7, 2009
County: Bertie
Charges: Misdemeanor
Disposition: Alleged
Alleged: Stephen Kypriandes
Case Updates: 3 update(s) available
Law officers pulled dozens of dogs from a Lewiston home and animal cruelty charges may soon follow.
On Thursday, after repeatedly complaints about foul smells and noise coming from a home on Mitchell Street, Lewiston police found 46 dogs and three cats in the home.
Police chief Winston Panton says ammonia levels were so high, they had to call the fire department to ventilate the site.
Investigators say many of the animals were underweight and sick but they don't believe 68-year-old Stephen Kypriandes meant to hurt them.
"He loves the dogs no doubt about that," said Lewiston Police Chief Winston Panton. "But the care that he takes to try to do for the dogs is not working."
Four agencies are investigating the case.
Bertie County Sheriff Charles Atkins says Kypriandes may face misdemeanor animal cruelty charges, but a complete investigation will be the determining factor.
Case UpdatesThe case of a man with nearly 50 dogs and cats in his home has been delayed once again.
Stephen Kyprianades was due in Bertie County Court Thursday morning. But his hearing was rescheduled for September 24th.
Authorities say they found 46 dogs and three cats at his home in Lewiston in May. The animals produced near lethal levels of ammonia in his house, lawmen say.
Many of those animals remain up for adoption. So far 7 have been adopted and 7 have been transferred to rescue leagues. The Humane Society says they have six $50 vouchers for spade and neutering costs left, courtesy of an anonymous donor. Some of the dogs have also given birth to new puppies since they were seized, and they are also up for adoption.
The Humane Society has waived the adoption fee to help find these animals homes as quickly as possible. The phone number to call is 252-325-3647 | Source: WITN - Aug 6, 2009
Update posted on Aug 7, 2009 - 6:23PM |
Dozens of dogs seized in an animal cruelty case are up for adoption tonight. In May, deputies pulled dozens of dogs from Stephen Kypriandes's home in Lewiston after neighbors complained about the odor and noise. They charged him with misdemeanor animal cruelty.
The Sheriff of Bertie County tells us since Kypriandes didn't pay for the county to take care of the animals, the county can't afford to keep them.
Sheriff Greg Atkins says they can't keep these dogs much longer.
Atkins says, "Hopefully we can get them adopted out and find good homes for them. But for those we can't, they may have to be euthanized."
Caring for the animals costs thousands of dollars a month. 30 dogs and 2 cats are at the shelter in Windsor. Facilities in Chowan County and Powellsville have the rest.
Atkins says, "It's basically put a tremendous burden on animal control in the county. We just don't have any room to take in dogs like we normally do and we normally take dogs in on a daily basis."
Nancy Miller of the Bertie County Humane Society says the animals have come a long way:
"Most were malnourished, in filthy conditions, you could smell the house from the street and the ammonia levels were exceptionally high."
Miller wants to see them move on to homes: "The dogs and the cats need a wonderful home. The home they came from they were packed in together they still love other animals, they need human companionship."
The county hopes people will adopt the animals within the week. Otherwise, they'll most likely have no other choice but to put them to sleep.
The Bertie County Humane Society says all but 12 animals are adoptable. If you're interested please call 252-325-3647. That's 325--DOGS. You will have to have them spayed or neutered and be able to provide proper, food and shelter. | Source: News Channel 9 - July 13, 2009
Update posted on Jul 13, 2009 - 11:05PM |
Bertie County law enforcement officers discovered 49 animals -- 46 dogs and 3 cats -- at a home on Hancock Street in Lewiston, N.C. Tips led officers to the home of Stephen Kyprianides nearly one month ago.
Kyprianides was subsequently charged with 39 counts of Misdemeanor Animal Cruelty, a spokesperson with the Bertie County Sheriff's office told WAVY.com. Kyprianides was placed on an unsecured bond set at $5,000.
The animals have since been removed from Kyprianides' home and are being checked by a veterinarian.
Kyprianides first court appearance is set for June 17. | Source: WAVY - June 5, 2009
Update posted on Jun 7, 2009 - 8:41PM |
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