LENOIR COUNTY, N.C. (WITN) – Early Wednesday morning, deputies say that a man has been arrested on felony animal abuse charges after a disturbing video appeared on social media.
The Lenoir County Sheriff’s Office says Matthew Neal, of Pink Hill, is behind bars, and 11 dogs are in protective custody. A viral video that shows a man beating a dog near a mobile kennel sparked an investigation. Some people have said it involved a Lenoir County dog training business, which WITN identified as East Carolina Retriever.
Neal, 32, is facing nine counts of felony cruelty to animals. The sheriff’s office says he is also facing two misdemeanor counts of cruelty to animals in Duplin County.
The sheriff’s office says Neal was arrested at his home and business address at 2967 Ash Davis Road, just outside of Pink Hill.
Just last night, Lenoir County Sheriff Jackie Rogers says his deputies and the Lenoir County Animal Control have conducted interviews but were asking anyone with firsthand knowledge to come forward. This would include videos, photos, or eyewitness accounts.
The Lenoir County Sheriff’s Office was helped this morning by the Lenoir County Animal Control unit, the Craven County Sheriff’s Office’s Animal Control unit, and Duplin County Animal Control.
“We are truly appreciative of the assistance we received from the other agencies,” Sheriff Rogers said. “We would also like to thank the citizens and the incredible residents who have come forward and made statements to make today’s arrest possible.”
The sheriff’s office says they are hosting a press conference today at 2 p.m.
Anyone with firsthand information should call deputies at 252-559-6118.
He was given a $45,000 secured bond in Lenoir County and a $2,000 secured bond in Duplin County.
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