Share:

Case Snapshot

Case ID: 17651

Classification: Hoarding

Animal: dog (pit-bull)

More cases in Pender County, NC

More cases in NC

« Back to Search Results

Login to Watch this Case

Images for this Case

all 1 media files »

For more information about the Interactive Animal Cruelty Maps, see the map notes.

Dozens of neglected pit bulls found
Maple Hill, NC (US)

Incident Date: Tuesday, Mar 1, 2011
County: Pender

Disposition: Alleged
Case Images: 1 files available

Alleged: Lewis Andrews

Case Updates: 1 update(s) available

Dozens of neglected pit bulls are receiving medical care this weekend. Their owner met with Onslow County Animal Control Friday, and is allowing a veterinarian to examine the 24 pit bulls on his property.

PHOTOS:
A veterinarian will treat the dogs' lacerations and slowly healing broken bones. Einsig said he's pleased with animal control's response, and the incident was a normal case blown out of proportion.

"As long as the dogs were being taken care of, fed, and watered on a daily basis, that was our concern," said Einsig.

But NewsChannel 12 viewers were slightly more concerned when they saw images of the neglected animals. Many were stunned 24 pit bulls were left on a property where the owner was once busted for dog fighting.

We asked animal control how Andrews could have a say in his dogs' futures after he fled law enforcement. Animal control said the two incidents are unrelated and have no bearing on their decision to leave the dogs.

Animal control will check in with the veterinarian on Monday, and decide if all of the animals can stay with Andrews.

Two neighbors have been providing food and water for the dogs while Andrews was on the run from his probation violation. The pets were also visited each day by animal control officers.

"We're doing everything we can under the law to protect and look after these animals," said Angela Christian, spokesperson for animal control.

Before he turned himself into authorities, Andrews returned to his property Wednesday, and demanded our cameras stop rolling.

"I have 20 volunteers taking care of these dogs," said Andrews. "I want you to leave now." When we asked him where the volunteers were, he could not answer.

Animal control visited the property 15 times before this latest incident, including once for dog fighting.

"It's probably not the best situation," said Christian. "The dogs do need some vet services, and those are some of the things we're going to discuss when the owner contacts us."

Andrews was arrested in 2002 for attending a dog fight, a felony in North Carolina.

"Rightly or wrongly, folks are allowed to have pets in a situation like this," said Christian.

Case Updates

References

« Back to Search Results
« NC State Animal Cruelty Map
« More cases in Pender County, NC

Note: Classifications and other fields should not be used to determine what specific charges the suspect is facing or was convicted of - they are for research and statistical purposes only. The case report and subsequent updates outline the specific charges. Charges referenced in the original case report may be modified throughout the course of the investigation or trial, so case updates, when available, should always be considered the most accurate reflection of charges.

For more information regarding classifications and usage of this database, please visit the database notes and disclaimer.