Puppy mill - over 100 dachshunds, 14 cats
Wilmington, NC (US)

Incident Date: Tuesday, Jul 19, 2005
County: New Hanover

Disposition: Not Charged

Person of Interest: Larry Smith

Case Updates: 2 update(s) available

Larry Smith and his wife are being charged with nine counts of animal cruelty. Jean McNeil explains, "We found several dogs that didn't have food and water. Also, the conditions they were living in were bad." 

Officers seized nearly 140 dachshunds, as well as cats and birds from Smith's home on Camelia Lane in Wilmington. The investigation stemmed from a complaint.

Smith's friends stand by him. Mary Tucker said he gave his Dachshunds the best care."If you keep a dog in terrible conditions long enough it shows. I've been in Larry's house many times, these dogs weren't treated badly," said Tucker.

However, the Smith's haven't owned a breeders permit for more than a year.

The Dachshunds are now evidence, locked in the cages at the Animal Control Shelter where they're remaining until the case is closed. They're now being treated like kings. Many people have stopped by the shelter to bring donations and food.

Case Updates

References

• « NC State Animal Cruelty Map

  Not sure what these icons mean? Click here.

  
  

  Note: Classifications and other fields should not be used to determine what specific charges the suspect is facing or was convicted of - they are for research and statistical purposes only. The case report and subsequent updates outline the specific charges. Charges referenced in the original case report may be modified throughout the course of the investigation or trial, so case updates, when available, should always be considered the most accurate reflection of charges.
  
  For more information regarding classifications and usage of this database, please visit the database notes and disclaimer.