American Humane Calls for Tougher Animal Cruelty Laws in North Carolina

American Humane Association
Wednesday, 30 April 2003

In response to the recent seizure of 252 animals from a private home in Union, N.C., American Humane today called on authorities in the state to strengthen their animal cruelty laws.

"The recent seizure in Union points to a lack of strong animal cruelty laws in North Carolina," says Jodi Lytle Buckman, American Humane's director of shelter services.

As reported in the Charlotte Observer, 252 dogs were seized from the home of 77-year-old Union resident Naomi Deloris Perez. Perez reportedly was breeding the dogs in squalid conditions in her home, selling some of them for as much as $400. She now faces a misdemeanor animal cruelty charge that could bring a jail term or fine.

Sadly, this is not the first time Perez has been involved with animal cruelty, a fact American Humane does not want overlooked. Media reports confirm Perez faced a similar charge in 1993. Union County's District Court found her guilty of animal cruelty but the Superior Court dismissed the case on appeal almost a year later.

"As taxpayers, residents of North Carolina should be very concerned about the strength and ability of North Carolina to enforce their animal cruelty laws. It will cost the community thousands of dollars to care for these 252 animals over the next several months, possibly years, until the case is dispositioned," says Buckman.

Currently in North Carolina, cruelty to animals is a class 1 felony; however, penalties are left to the discretion of the courts. Additionally, North Carolina does not have a process to deal with hoarders people who possess more animals than can be properly care for - or to help shelters care for the large number of animals that result from these hoarding cases. When large seizures like the one in Union occur, animal shelters like the Humane Society of Union County and taxpayers are forced to carry the financial burden and strain of caring for the animals.

American Humane recommends North Carolina consider legislation that would make animal hoarding a misdemeanor. American Humane also recommends that this legislation require owners of confiscated animals to post bond to cover the cost of care and boarding of the animals during court proceedings. This legislation should include provisions to require psychological counseling for the convicted offenders and should preclude hoarders from owning animals in the future.

"Caring for abused and neglected animals is a community responsibility. Because of this, it is up to lawmakers to ensure that animal shelters that carry out this burden are well-equipped to handle the demands they face," says Buckman.

American Humane urges residents of North Carolina to contact their local and state officials and ask them to introduce legislation that addresses the issue of hoarding and requires owners to post bond for the care of their animals.

Residents of North Carolina and throughout the country can learn about animal cruelty issues in their states and voice their support for important animal welfare legislation by registering on American Humane's website at www.americanhumane.org. Those wanting to assist the local humane society can send monetary donations to the Humane Society of Union County, PO Box 101, Monroe, NC 28111.

For more information, or to contact American Humane Association, see their website at: www.americanhumane.org