Nearly 100 dogs and cats rescued from home
Shelby, NC (US)

Incident Date: Wednesday, Aug 31, 2011
County: Cleveland

Charges: Misdemeanor
Disposition: Alleged

Alleged: Carolyn Grayson Owens

A Shelby homeowner faces charges of animal cruelty after Cleveland County Animal Control workers removed nearly 100 dogs and cats from her home Wednesday.

Caroline Grayson Owens, 61, spoke exclusively to NewsChannel 36 shortly after she posted bond.

"I'm the first to tell you I have too many dogs," she said.

Owens said she's collected stray dogs from the neighborhood, hoping to keep them from being euthanized.

She's been keeping most of them in her 716 McBrayer Street Extension house, while she slept in her mini-van.

"Now she can sleep in her house," said Angela Seal

She claims she's not an animal hoarder and is opposed of letting some of her animals go.

"No, no," Owens said when asked if she was an animal hoarder. "I'm willing to release some of my animals and find homes for them."

Her home is boarded up, and is arguably uninhabitable. She relies on her monthly disability check to get by.

Neighbors finally reported Owens to the authorities Wednesday morning, saying she's a hoarder living with dozens of dogs and they couldn't stand the stench or the noise.

"When her door opens, oh my gosh, it was, it stunk," said Seal. "I couldn't even sleep."

Seal's husband reported Owens to the authorities after the smell and conditions around the Owens' house worsened.

Owens said she hopes to get some of her dogs back, but for now is staying with her son.

She dismissed critics who suggest that she doesn't have the ability to care for dogs.

"They didn't see the love and care I gave to them. They only saw my house," she said.

Thursday, Animal Control Services officers with Cleveland County checked over the dozens of dogs and cats that were rescued.

"I don't think she was [hoarding] on purpose. I think she just got in over her head," said Animal Services Director Tripp Bowling.

However, he says some of the animals may have to be euthanized because of their condition. Others could eventually be adopted.

"We're working with the local humane societies and the US humane society to get them into their care, if she will surrender them over to us," he said.

If Owens does not give over ownership of the dogs, then Animal Control could petition the court for ownership. That process could take up to 30 days.

References

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