The surviving puppies and dogs seized from a Tabor City home Tuesday are recovering at Columbus County Animal Protective Services.
APS workers said today (Thursday) that the mother of of the youngest puppies, estimated at less than five days old, is able to produce milk and is nursing her litter. One of those puppies was found dead in the mud where the puppies were being kept under a boat, according to Tabor City Police.
The other dogs in the case are malnourished, but are receiving medical care.
TCPD Ptl. Nick Forster was following a skinny female dog Tuesday when he found a home where 11 dogs were being kept in inhumane conditions, according to a police report. Forster was following the dog in hopes of informing the owner about the town’s leash law, which prohibits roaming animals.
Forster found a mother dog chained to a boat, with five nearly-newborn puppies in a mud hole. One of the puppies was dead, according to his report. He also found two live adolescent dogs and one dead one in a nearby shed. The living dogs had apparently been surviving by eating their dead sibling.
A male dog was found chained to a tree with only a trashcan, partly filled with water, as shelter.
Christopher Bryan McNeil, who owned the dogs, told Forster he didn’t know who to ask for help for the dogs. McNeil faces 11 charges of animal cruelty, including two felony charges of intentionally starving an animal to death.
Although the dogs are not available for adoption at this time, the shelter is in need of blankets, towels, and healthy dog food. Donations may be dropped off at Columbus Animal Protective Services, 288 Legion Dr., Whiteville.
Call 641.3945 for more information.
