RAEFORD, N.C. – Acting on a tip from a veterinarian, Hoke County Sheriff’s deputies found about 100 animals said to be in poor condition and without access to food and water.
Maureen Lee, 43, of Raeford has been charged with felony animal neglect as well as resisting and obstructing officers. She is jailed under a $10,000 secured bond.
The veterinarian filed a report to law enforcement stating that a horse on property at 7950 Arabia Rd. had to be euthanized due to malnutrition.
After securing a warrant, deputies found horses, dogs, cats, goats and birds on the property.
Hoke County Sheriff Hubert Peterkin said this is one of the worst cases he has seen in his 14 years as sheriff.
“It was sad to see those animals. It’s like they were happy to see us, the minute we opened the barn to let the horses out, they ran out and wanted to eat on the grass. It was like they know the help had come,” Peterkin said. “Had we not gotten notification when we did, we would have a lot of dead animals.”
Peterkin doesn’t think Lee had malicious intention but thinks she let things get out of hand.
“There is no way she could not have seen what we saw. No way she couldn’t have known these animals were suffering and dying,” Peterkin said.
The Hoke County Sheriff’s deputies have reached out to the ASPCA for assistance.
The investigation is still being conducted.
