Remains of 75-100 dogs found at breeder's home
Maiden, NC (US)

Incident Date: Tuesday, Mar 15, 2011
County: Catawba

Disposition: Alleged

Alleged: Bill Hewitt

A grisly scene awaited Catawba County's animal cruelty officers when they went to investigate a complaint in Maiden.

They found about seven wood-and-wire hutches with several hungry-looking beagles in each one when they served the search warrant Tuesday. A closer look revealed the situation's severity.

"There were five dogs eating the dead ones in their cages," said Catawba County Animal Services Manager Jay Blatche. "There were multiple carcasses spread around in varying stages of decomposition."

The property owner has not been charged with animal cruelty and disagrees vehemently with Blatche's assessment.

Bill Hewitt, 68, of Maiden, admits that about 10 of his beagles have died recently, but said they died when he was in the hospital.

He said he hired an "18 or 19-year-old" Mexican to help him. The teen had worked for him in the past and did good work, Hewitt said.

"The problem is, I paid this guy," Hewitt said. "I trusted him to take care of my dogs."

He said he hasn't seen his employee since the dogs were confiscated.

"His mom said he got scared and went back to Mexico," Hewitt said.

Blatche said his office has asked Hewitt for his employee's name and address, but he has not provided it.

Though no charges have been filed, Blatche said the investigation is ongoing and it will be up to the district attorney's office whether to charge Hewitt.

"There were some dogs that were very weak, and we rushed them to the vet," Blatche said.

He is awaiting the results of the veterinary tests performed on the surviving dogs to see what may have killed the others. Blatche thinks they were starved to death.

Hewitt pointed out more than 20 feed sacks strewn near the hutches. He picked up one that looked new.

"I bought 150 pounds of dog food per week," Hewitt said.

Blatche said officers found the remains of 75 to 100 dogs on the property.

"They said they found 100 dogs, but there weren't more than 10," Hewitt said.

He showed an inventory of items seized during the search: Three deceased beagles and three skulls from dogs.

Hewitt said Catawba County animal control officers inspected his property in the winter to make sure his animals were vaccinated. He vaccinated about 10 of them and was cleared to continue his operations.

He said he had about 25 dogs at time but had fewer when the officers raided his property Tuesday. He estimates that he owns 10 dogs and trains several others at any given time.

"How could I have had 100 dogs die in three months -- there's no way," Hewitt said.

Blatche's account of the previous visit is different than Hewitt's.

Blatche said his officers responded to a complaint last summer that Hewitt was neglecting his animals. Neighbors complained about the smell. Investigators saw about 60 dogs on the property. Some of the hutches held as many as five dogs.

The officers ordered Hewitt to clean the property and make changes to his operation. Hewitt cooperated and the property was found to be in compliance during the officer's follow-up visit and the case was closed, Blatche said.

More complaints prompted Tuesday's raid, but Hewitt wasn't home at the time.

"I just got out of the hospital the day they came and got my dogs," he said and pointed at the hospital bracelet on his wrist.

Hewitt was in the hospital having his toe amputated.

He said he damaged his toe in the Vietnam War and it just got worse over the years until it had to be removed.

That and other injuries, including an ATV accident that required surgery about six months ago, have diminished Hewitt's ability to care for his dogs.

Hewitt has vowed to quit raising and training dogs.

"I'm going to tear these pens down. I'm going to get rid of them," he said, adding that he plans to burn his hutches.

Catawba County Animal Services seized 19 dogs from Hewitt's property. Several belong to people who had paid Hewitt to train them. Blatche said he is working to return those dogs to their owners.

"They are still considered evidence right now," he said. "If we can't get a-hold of the owners, we will adopt them out."

Hewitt has signed his dogs over to Catawba County Animal Services, but Blatche said that does not mean he is shielded from criminal charges of animal cruelty.

Blatche calls Hewitt a dog breeder and trainer. Hewitt denies breeding dogs.

He said he has been a dog trainer and handler for 50 years.

"I've been in it since I was 15 years old," he said. "I don't breed them. I used to buy whole litters, train them and sell them."

Hewitt said he owns five acres and leases another 10. He's got the 10-acre plot fenced and stocked with rabbits that he trains the dogs to hunt. He added that he treats the rabbits well and feeds them.

"I had dogs I kept and trained for other people," he said. "I charge $25 to train their puppies to run a rabbit -- that's all I do -- it's not a business, it's a hobby."

Hewitt said he is known in the community for helping people with their pets.

"People come to me and I give their dogs shots if they can't afford to take it to the vet," Hewitt said. "I probably gave over 500 puppies to kids who couldn't afford them."

"You ain't going to find anyone who says I mistreat animals."

Hewitt said he feels he was targeted by someone who disapproves of hunting and called in a complaint.

His friend Dennis Hoyle agrees.

"This society we live in now -- I call it the 'Chicken Little Society.' People make things bigger than they are," he said. "Bill's a good guy. He loves his dogs. He's not somebody who neglects them."

SIDEBAR:

More people are willing to report animal cruelty than in years past, said Catawba county Animal Services Manager Jay Blatche. It's a trend he wants to encourage.

"Any type of animal cruelty is severe," Blatche said.

State law requires animals to be provided with food, water, shelter and to be taken to the veterinarian if they're sick.

"We investigate cruelty to all animals," Blatche said. "It's not just dogs. We investigate the treatment of horses and cows too."

Anyone who sees an animal and suspects it isn't being cared for is asked to call Catawba County Animal Services at 465-8229 and report the situation.

References

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