More than 40 dogs rescued from Leicester home; horse found dead: Buncombe Sheriff


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The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals and the Buncombe County Sheriff’s Office rescued dozens of dogs at a Leicester home on Jan. 31, according to a Sheriff’s Office news release.

At the end of Jan. 31, Sheriff’s Office spokesperson Aaron Sarver said 41 dogs had been “seized” from the property in total.

“Additional animals were also found in the residence and suffering from neglect,” the release said.

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Lindsey Trevor Rue, 39, has been charged with felony kill animal by starvation; felony animal cruelty; child neglect and resist, delay or obstruct, according to the Sheriff’s Office.

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The felony kill animal by starvation charge was for a horse, Sheriff’s Office spokesperson Aaron Sarver said.

That charge did not date to Jan. 31, but the Sheriff’s Office has been to the residence for similar complaints numerous times over the past “decade,” Sarver said.

According to Sarver, the computer aided dispatch system says that there have been 68 calls for service at the home since Jan. 5, 2007. Of those, 35 were recorded as animal-related.

Among the recorded complaints, he said:

  • Barking and nuisance issues with multiple dogs.
  • Dogs running at large, chasing livestock and killing chickens.
  • Concerns about lack of shelter and food for dogs and horses at and around the residence.

“In the short-term, the ASPCA is working to care for and assess any medical needs that may exist,” Sarver said. “They will work with local and national organizational partners to set up long-term care for the animals.”

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He said that information on the child neglect charge was protected.

Additional charges might be filed as the investigation continues, the release said.

In its own news statement, the ASPCA said it was “assisting with the rescue of more than 40 neglected dogs, primarily poodle mixes, from a property in Western North Carolina.”

“The dogs, including nine newborn puppies, along with a tortoise, a rabbit, a fish, and several birds, were found living in neglectful conditions in an overcrowded mobile home in Leicester,” the release said.

The ASPCA is assisting with operational planning and animal removal, evidence collection and crime scene processing, investigative and legal assistance, veterinary and behavioral forensics exams, daily care and providing the dogs with medical and behavioral support, according to the release.

The ASPCA operates a Behavioral Rehabilitation Center in Weaverville.

Ryan Oehrli covers public safety, breaking news, courts and other beats for the Citizen Times. Comments? Questions? Tips? Send them to coehrli@citizentimes.com.

This article originally appeared on Asheville Citizen Times: More than 40 dogs rescued from Leicester home; horse found dead: Buncombe Sheriff

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