- North Carolina, USA -
The Durham County Sheriff’s Office said that on October 14, a deputy went to an apartment in the 2900 block of Rochelle Street in Durham, to assist the apartment management with padlocking the apartment as part of an eviction.
When the deputy entered the unit, he noticed a strong odor of decomposition and feces, and found two deceased dogs.
Animal Services were called in and an additional search led to the discovery of three more dead dogs.
One adult dog and four puppies “were found in varying stages of decay”, stated a news release.
Officials also found moldy food and piles of decaying feces throughout the apartment.
The furbabies’ remains were sent to a lab for necropsy but were too badly decomposed to determine the cause of death.
Animal Services’ repeated attempts to make contact with the tenant failed, so the investigating deputy appeared before the Grand Jury who returned an indictment on five counts of felony animal cruelty and ten additional animal-related misdemeanors.
An arrest warrant was then issued for 32-years-old MARKEEN CARLTON OWENS (pictured below).
OWENS was taken into custody on Monday, November 1, and booked into the Durham County Detention Center where a magistrate set a $10,000 secured bond.
“The Durham County Sheriff's Office understands that there may be a hardship for people during the eviction process. There is never an excuse to abandon a pet inside a residence”, authorities said in a news release.
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So typical of this throw-away time. Animals are not things, they feel pain, fear, & love! They have souls. They are our responsibility & this heartless monster must be held accountable for his cruelty. RIP BEAUTIFUL SOULS!