North Carolina Coalition for Dog Protection

11/12/2023

Please help PETA's field team this holiday season. PETA's Community Animal Project is out 365 days a year helping chained dogs. We do whatever we can to improve the lives of these dogs and something as simple as a nice toy brings so much joy. We would appreciate any toy donations, but most of all, the dogs would. We have local drop off locations in Hampton Roads, but you can still make a difference if you don't live near the PETA building or the drop off locations. You can participate in making a difference by mailing toy donations to the PETA building,
PETA
Community Animal Project
501 Front Street, Norfolk VA, 23510
Scan the QR code to be taken to the Amazon Wishlist for toys or Click here. If you cannot donate, you can still help by sharing this post!

07/12/2023

All dogs deserve love and respect, and Dave will finally have his chance. Never chain and report cruelty when you see it!

https://www.facebook.com/reel/280469961179172

29/11/2023

If you are asked for an address when you call animal control, please use Center Street. We cannot give the exact address and I know everyone understands. Thank you!
URGENT! Dogs should never be kept chained outside, let alone in freezing temperatures. More than two weeks ago we reported an address in Whitakers, NC where two dogs were kept tethered to a tree without ANY shelter at all! Well, they are still out there today in the same condition. it's going to be 23 degrees tonight! If you think this is wrong please call Nash County Animal Control at 252- 459- 9855 or 252- 459- 1510 and demad that something be done for these dogs! Please share and thank you!

31/10/2023

PETA is offering a reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person(s) responsible for the deaths of 13 beagles who were killed in a fire that authorities believed was deliberate. If
anyone has information on who might have committed this horrendous act please contact the Northampton County Sheriff's Departament.

PETA is offering a reward of up to $5,000 for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person(s) responsible for the deaths of 13 beagles – who were killed in a fire authorities believe was deliberate – at an outdoor dog kennel in Northampton County, near Roanoke Rapids Lake, on O...

19/10/2023

PETA will be hosting the next Business After Hours with the Windsor/Bertie County Chamber of Commerce. If you live nearby please stop by and say hello. It will be open to the public, not just members. More info in the flier!

26/09/2023

This is why North Carolina so desperately needs to ban tethering in extreme weather. Thank you to the Greenville, NC Police Department and Officer B. Schultz for doing the right thing, and for the person who spoke up. Never be silent. See something? Say something.

07/09/2023

Sweet Ada is finally living the life she deserves!

11/08/2023

https://www.facebook.com/reel/1244899102853420

31/07/2023

No one should keep their dogs tethered 24/7, least of all law enforcement officers, who we expect to lead by example and model behavior. Isn’t there a code of conduct? This is NOT OK! When we recently visited Bailey, a large tree branch had fallen in the small patch of dirt he is relegated to 24/7, and this poor boy was tangled and unable to move. As you can see in the video, Bailey has no water and his “shelter” is broken. The heat index that day was 86 degrees. Now, weeks later, the massive fallen branch is still there! Earlier this year, Bailey had a painful leg wound (from the wire tether wrapping around and embedding into his leg) that went untreated until PETA intervened.

Bailey’s “owner” is a deputy with the Halifax County Sheriff’s Office (HCSO)! We contacted Sheriff Davis, but never even received a response.

If you agree that this is unacceptable, please call the at 252-583-8201 or email [email protected] and demand that they don’t let their deputies get away with such cruelty and neglect just because they wear a badge. Please share. Thank you.

26/07/2023

Look how happy Max is to see PETA fieldworkers!

107 likes, 14 comments. “Max is so excited to see PETA’s fieldworkers because his own family doesn’t give him the love & care he deserves 💔 No dog should have to live like this 😔”

24/07/2023

It's so hot out there! If you see a dog who doesn't have water or shade or is tangled on the tether, call law enforcement or animal control. If they don't respond call PETA!

23/06/2023

We are finding lots of turtles trying to cross the road in NC, so please be on the lookout for them!

Turtles are among the most threatened groups of vertebrate animals on earth—and too many are dying on our roads.

22/06/2023

01/05/2023

In an effort to bring awareness to the plight of “backyard” dogs, we place eye-catching billboards in our service area of northeastern NC and beyond reminding people that dogs belong indoors and to never chain or pen them. These two just went up in Raleigh and Rich Square. Precious, the dog in the first billboard was found by PETA fieldworkers on a 30lb. logging chain. Even though we pressed animal control, they did not seize her until two days later. Her injuries were so severe that a veterinarian recommended that she be euthanized. Her owners were not held accountable for her years-long suffering. We will never forget about Precious or the countless others who are suffering at the end of chains. Please support chaining bans in your community – reach out, we can help! And urge your state representatives to pass stricter laws protecting dogs like Precious.

26/04/2023

“Every minute is an eternity for chained dogs left to bake in the hot summer sun and shiver in the cold.”

We now have THREE bills (HB540, HB744, and SB719) in the North Carolina General Assembly, all of which would improve the lives of chained dogs! 🙌

Read more here: https://www.roanoke-chowannewsherald.com/2023/04/25/state-legislators-consider-dog-protection-bills/

If you’re represented by Rep. Dahle (Wake), Rep. Ward (Camden, Gates, Hertford, Pasquotank), Rep. Longest (Wake), Rep. Harrison (Guilford), and/or Sen. Woodard (Durham), please contact them and thank them for sponsoring important animal protection bills.

If you don’t know who your state legislators are, use this tool to find out (make sure to select “NC House” and “NC Senate”): https://www.ncleg.gov/findyourlegislators

RALEIGH – With high temperatures just around the corner, three bipartisan, PETA-supported state bills that seek to enact stronger protections for dogs who are kept tethered or chained outdoors, often neglected and suffering in weather extremes, have just dropped in the North Carolina General Assem...

24/04/2023

Dogs, who are social pack animals, want to be inside with their families—not isolated and banished to the backyard. During our visits, PETA fieldworkers give dogs much affection and treats (in addition to basic survival needs like fresh food and water) but it’s no replacement for a real family.

Gio and Princess seemed to love the special treat we brought them this week 👑

21/04/2023

PETA recently presented before the Northampton County Board of Commissioners, offering information about the dangers of keeping dogs chained and the benefits of passing an updated animal ordinance that would establish some minimum care standards.

It’s vital that commissioners hear from their constituents. If you live in Northampton County, please take action via the link in the comments to join us in helping to protect dogs in the community.

And please share this post with anyone you know who lives in Northampton County ✨

https://www.roanoke-chowannewsherald.com/2023/04/18/peta-asks-northampton-to-consider-chaining-ban/

Request is the third one made in four years

12/04/2023

Check out Linen’s happy ending with our friends over at Chesapeake Humane Society 🥰

07/04/2023

Happy Friday friends! We are excited to finally announce that we currently have two bills in the North Carolina General Assembly.

🐶 HB 540, sponsored by Rep. Allison Dahle, Rep. Tim Longest, Rep. Bill Ward, and Rep. Pricey Harrison. If passed, tethering would be prohibited when the temperature is above 85 degrees or below 32 degrees, during hurricanes, tornados, tropical storms, and other severe weather. The bill also defines “adequate shelter.”

🐶 SB 719, sponsored by Sen. Mike Woodard. If passed, this bill would do all that HB 540 would, in addition to defining “adequate space” and increasing the length of the tether to 15 feet minimum or four times the length of the dog - whichever is greater.

If any of these legislators represent you, please thank them for taking on this important legislation and let them know you support these improvements to North Carolina’s cruelty statute. If you’re not sure who your legislators are, you can find out by plugging your address in here: https://www.ncleg.gov/FindYourLegislators

Change is long overdue and North Carolina dogs need us to fight for them. Stay tuned for more!

21/03/2023

🔗 My World 🔗

Twelve years ago this heavy chain
Became the world I knew
Rapidly the dust replaced
The space where grass once grew
At first I cried from loneliness
I haven’t cried in years
I gave that up to hopelessness
They never see my tears.

When winter comes I dream of spring
As I shiver through the night
My water freezes into ice
While my world turns into white
When summer comes I long for fall
The sun is unforgiving
As my water quickly disappears
So does my thirst for living.

This circle of dirt beneath my feet
Has seen a million paces
As I have watched pass by me
At least a thousand faces
All of them too busy
To stop and be a friend
I’d pull and tug and wag my tail
The chain would always end.

Twelve years ago this rusty chain
Became the world I know
A world of isolation
A world where grass won’t grow
A world of bitter coldness
A world of searing heat
A world where no one comforts you
When your heart beats its last beat.
- Heather Leughmyer

18/03/2023

🌟 Wally's looking for his new home! 🌟

In his previous "life," Wally was kept chained outside to a wire crate in the middle of winter 😢 But the months-old puppy was barely recognizable as such due to a severe case of mange—a parasitic skin disease caused by mites—that left him looking more like a baby rhinoceros. He had lost much of his fur, and a secondary infection caused his thickened, scaly skin to become inflamed and itchy.

After just a few weeks of veterinary treatment and some loving care in a foster home, Wally’s fur grew back and his skin (and spirit) healed. These days, he’s the exuberant, playful puppy he was meant to be all along—and he finally looks like one, too.

This fun, free-spirited pup is looking for his family. Is it you? E-mail [email protected] to learn more!

https://www.peta.org/blog/wally-puppy-adoptable-animal/

Wally had mange so severe that he barely looked like a puppy. After some veterinary care courtesy of PETA, he’s got a new look and a new lease on life.

17/03/2023

It’s not every day that we see felony cruelty-to-animals charges in deprivation cases—so we are relieved to hear that this Craven County man, who starved his dog Sugar to death last year, was found guilty. A necropsy determined that there was no evidence of food in Sugar’s stomach or intestinal tract—only pieces of plastic 😔

Thank you to Sheriff Chip Hughes, Craven County Sheriff's Office, District Attorney Scott Thomas, and all others involved in pursuing justice for this poor girl.

CRAVEN COUNTY MAN RECEIVES PRISON SENTENCE AFTER JURY RETURNS GUILTY VERDICT FOR FELONY STARVATION OF DOG

New Bern, North Carolina – District Attorney Scott Thomas and Craven County Sheriff Chip Hughes announced that a jury returned a verdict of guilty as charged on a felony count of Starvation of an Animal against JON ANTHONY CIVILS, 30, of New Bern, NC following a three day trial in Craven County Superior Court. Senior Resident Superior Court Judge Joshua W. Willey, Jr. presided over the trial and sentenced the defendant to a term of at least 5 months up to 15 months in prison. The maximum sentence allowable by law for the conviction was a minimum of 6 months up to 17 months imprisonment. The State of North Carolina was represented at trial by Assistant District Attorney Augustus D. Willis.

Investigation of the case began March 14, 2022 when a deceased dog named Sugar was brought into the Lynaire Kennels crematory facility in New Bern. Based on the condition of the dog, staff at the facility immediately contacted the Animal Protective Services Bureau of the Craven County Sheriff’s Office, which responded to the scene and initiated an investigation. A necropsy examination of the animal performed by Craven Animal Hospital determined the cause of death to be starvation based on the lack of body fat and poor muscle mass of the dog, with an examination of the dog’s stomach and gastrointestinal system revealing only pieces of plastic in the stomach and no evidence of food in either the stomach or intestinal tract. Evidence presented at trial showed that CIVILS had agreed to care for the dog when its owner, who previously lived in the home with CIVILS, was taken into custody on unrelated criminal charges on February 9, 2022 and housed at the Craven County Detention Center during the 33 days preceding the animal’s death.

Following the verdict and sentence, District Attorney Thomas said, “ADA Willis and Craven County Sheriff’s Office Animal Protective Services did a great job preparing this case for trial and presenting evidence to the jury. Our office takes these types of cases seriously and declined to offer a plea bargain due to the disturbing nature of this case. We are pleased with the guilty verdict and prison sentence imposed in this case and are hopeful that it sends the message that mistreatment of animals will not be tolerated in our community. We will continue to work closely with Sheriff Hughes and his Animal Protective Services Bureau to protect vulnerable animals in Craven County.”

Craven County Sheriff Chip Hughes added, “We appreciate our close working relationship with the District Attorney’s Office and the prosecution of this especially aggravated case. Our Animal Protective Services Bureau will continue to investigate complaints of animal abuse and neglect to ensure that those responsible are brought to justice.”

NOTE: Under North Carolina Structured Sentencing law, a convicted criminal defendant must serve all the minimum active sentence and may be required to serve up to the maximum sentence. Upon release at the conclusion of the prison sentence, a nine-to-twelve-month period of post-release supervision by a probation officer is required.

15/03/2023

Since the General Assembly 2023 session began in January, many of you have asked for an update on the North Carolina bill. While we don’t have anything significant to report, we’re still anticipating legislators will introduce a bill restricting keeping dogs outdoors during extreme weather.

In the meantime, please keep an eye on our page and share with your friends and family. We’ll let you know when we have an update!

Here’s a sweet photo of Lola, a dog kept chained in Murfreesboro who just wants to cuddle 💙

08/03/2023

ICYMI: Last week two western North Carolina men were sentenced to prison time for dog fighting and related crimes. After their release, both men will be banned from owning dogs for two years.

It may not seem like much, but any justice is more than most victims of cruelty to animals receive. Thank you to the many agencies and advocates that helped make this happen.

According to court documents, Laddie Dwayne McMillian, 47, conspired to breed, train and fight dogs for almost 15 years.

19/02/2023

In early 2021, PETA fieldworkers stopped at this address after spotting “Foxy Lady” penned at the far edge of a junk-filled yard. We have been visiting her ever since to provide fresh water and food, straw in the winter—and of course, lots of attention and treats. Although her guardian won’t surrender her, he recently allowed us to spay Foxy Lady and upgrade her doghouse.

We’ll keep helping Foxy Lady, but there are countless more “outside dogs” across North Carolina who don’t have anyone looking out for them.

If you see a dog in need of help, consider offering fresh food, water, treats, and/or straw. And remember, always call the authorities if a dog is injured, sick, or otherwise suffering. If authorities are unresponsive to an urgent situation, call PETA for guidance (follow the prompts at 757-622-7382).

17/02/2023

Reminder – PETA is hosting two straw giveaways TOMORROW (Saturday 2/18). We’ll be in Northampton County from 10-12pm and Hertford County from 1-3pm. See the comments for more details.

Stop by either location to pick up a FREE bag of insulating straw bedding per dog. And remember, the best way to keep dogs safe and warm is to bring them inside 🏠

15/02/2023

Here's an update from the Bertie Ledger-Advancee on cruelty-to-animals case regarding Minnie (the Windsor dog who starved to death last winter) and her yard mates.

“Minnie endured a slow, agonizing death as a result of this person’s total disregard for her every need, and PETA’s fieldworkers know that other chained dogs remain out there, at risk of dying like this, too,” said PETA Senior Vice President Daphna Nachminovitch.

https://www.dailyadvance.com/bertie/news/local/askew-accepts-plea-in-animal-cruelty-case/article_9bc5802b-d331-5378-8d0b-47868ab0f6bf.html

Almost a year after PETA field workers discovered Minnie, a dog starved to death in her doghouse, still chained to a tree, Minnie’s owner, Cherelle Askew, pleaded guilty last week

14/02/2023

Lucy “lived” outdoors in Gaston, North Carolina for many years (PETA met her in 2014 when she was just a pup!). We visited her regularly until 2021 when her guardian became ill and could no longer care for her.

Lucy quickly found her new home with a family who loves and respects her 💙

09/02/2023

Last week we spotted Midnight huddled in sleety, near-freezing temperatures, without any water or straw 😔 We stopped and gave her lots of attention, refilled her water, replenished the insulating straw in her doghouse, and covered all the muddy puddles.

We’re working on getting Midnight surrendered, so keep your fingers crossed 💙

09/02/2023

Some media coverage of our upcoming straw giveaway in Windsor ☺️

If you know anyone with a dog outdoors - neighbors, friends, family - please share this with them (or come pick some up for them and drop it off yourself!).

WINDSOR, NC (WNCT) — PETA is hosting a straw giveaway in the YMCA parking lot at 1102 N. King Street in Windsor on Saturday. The giveaway coincides with the Good Shepherd Food Pantry of Berti…

07/02/2023

The best way to keep dogs warm and safe is by bringing them indoors, but PETA is offering three free straw giveaways for dogs kept outdoors as a small measure of protection to make the cold weather more bearable.

Anyone can stop by and pick up one FREE bag of insulating straw bedding per dog.

Here’s the details (event links are pasted in the comments):
🐶 Bertie County: Saturday, 2/11 from 8-11am in the YMCA parking lot (1102 N. King Street, Windsor, NC)
🐶 Northampton County: Saturday, 2/18 from 10am-12pm in the Northampton County Health Dept. parking lot (9495 NC-305 Jackson, NC 27845)
🐶 Hertford County: Saturday, 2/18 from 1-3pm in the Hertford County Health Dept. parking lot (828 S. Academy St. Ahoskie, NC 27910)

We’ll be there for the allotted times or until we run out of straw 😊

27/01/2023

Georgina was surrendered—along with more than 20 other dogs and puppies—from a hoarding case in North Carolina, where she was kept penned outdoors 24/7. She’s now safe, warm, and loved in a foster home and is accepting adoption applications for her new family 😍

Georgina is an affectionate and playful girl who will make a perfect best friend. She loves to be near her human caregivers, so we’re recommending her new family is home most of the day. Click below to learn more about her!

If you’re interested in adopting Georgina, please email [email protected] 💌

With some help from PETA, Georgina is trading a filthy, outdoor pen for family and outdoor fun. Would you give her a new life of adoration and adventure?

21/01/2023

IMPORTANT UPDATE/GOOD NEWS: Sheriff Dexter Hayes himself visited the property this morning and REMOVED THE EMACIATED BLACK DOG. He did not see other dogs on the property, but returned later. At 4:10 p.m. today, he emailed several people and said "All dogs have been removed." Please JOIN US in THANKING Sheriff Hayes for doing for these dogs what the animal control officer failed to do.

🚨 URGENT: DOGS IN HERTFORD COUNTY NEED HELP (more visuals in the comments!)

This skeletal dog is currently tethered on E. Richards Street in Winton, NC with Hertford County Animal Control/Sheriff’s Office’s 👍 stamp of approval!

PETA has been reporting this address to the Hertford County Sheriff’s Office for nearly a MONTH – these dogs were all outside with ZERO shelter during the Christmas cold snap. Today, the county ACO sabotaged PETA’s efforts to get these three dogs seized by calling their owner and telling him “all he had to do was de-worm them.” Tonight’s temperatures are expected to dip to 35 degrees. In addition to this emaciated black dog, one dog is chained by a choker collar, no shelter WHATSOEVER, and one dog, with a cherry eye, is crated.

If you agree that this is UNacceptable, please call the Hertford County Sheriff's Office at 252-358-7800 (or email the sheriff at [email protected]) and demand that something be done for them, TODAY.

You may reference E. Richards St. in Winton - the sheriff's office has the complete address and details.

Please share. Thank you.

19/01/2023

Any Hertford County friends? This eye-catching billboard, which reminds residents that keeping dogs chained outside is a life sentence, recently went up in central Ahoskie.

We also placed digital checkout ads in 52 convenience stores across the state, and have 148 “cold” ads up. Check them out!

16/01/2023

Sweet Midge’s story started outside in Halifax County, where she was kept on a short tether and purposefully bred with large dogs. Many of her puppies died—which is often a glaring red flag that the mother dog is not well.

PETA rescued and transferred Midge to the Norfolk SPCA Adoption Center & Veterinary Clinics, who treated her for several health conditions, including a broken and deformed tail that she had started to chew through. The veterinarian who spayed her said her uterus was essentially shredded 😩

But now Midge is living the good life! Her family describes her as “the quiet leader of the house. She goes along with the puppy shenanigans but when she puts her paw down, everyone listens. She’s sweet with everyone, loves giving kisses, and will roll in the mud any chance she gets. In more ways than not, she is truly a perfect dog.”

15/01/2023

While we have endless stories of dogs who have been forced to “live” outside, there are many other groups in North Carolina working to alleviate animal suffering. These animal shelters and protection groups know firsthand the impact that continuous, unattended tethering (or 24/7 penning) has on a dog’s health, psychological well-being, and quality of life—and they each have their own stories of dogs who have died while chained, terrified and alone.

We’re looking for animal shelters and protection groups to join the North Carolina Coalition for Dog Protection—an alliance of national and North Carolina-based animal welfare organizations. Do you know any groups that might be interested in lending their name to this important cause?

Tag them here! 👇

14/01/2023

Last week we encountered this sweet boy, Ghost, who was tangled around a satellite dish pole, unable to reach his food or water. He also couldn’t reach his makeshift “shelter”—which wasn’t a shelter at all, but a tipped over flimsy plastic doghouse inside a wire crate.

We untangled Ghost and set up his space so he’s more comfortable until we can get him a sturdy doghouse. We wish Ghost’s people would bring him inside, but for now, this is an improvement 💙

P.S.: Never put a blanket in a dog’s shelter! During the winter blankets get wet and freeze, essentially becoming giant ice cubes. Stick to insulating straw :)