Man Arrested, Elderly Woman Injured After 40 Feral Wolf-Dogs Are Found in North Carolina Home
Deputies found the residence "uninhabitable for people and dogs," the Davidson County Sheriff’s Office said in a release
Davidson County Sheriff's Office
Melvin 'Sonny' Berry.A man in North Carolina has been arrested after 40 feral Wolf-Hybrid dogs were found in a home.
Per a news release shared on Facebook, deputies with the Davidson County Sheriff’s Office found an injured elderly female inside a residence with the animals after beginning an animal cruelty investigation and a domestic elderly abuse and neglect case in the Denton area.
On Monday, June 24, officers then arrested Melvin “Sonny” Berry on "one count of Felony Domestic Elderly Abuse/Neglect with Serious Injuries, One Misdemeanour Local Ordinance charge, and 20 Misdemeanour Animal Cruelty charges," the release stated.
The Sheriff's Office confirmed the dogs "inside the residence were not social and were later determined to be feral."
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A stock photo of a wolf-dog hybrid.Related: Ohio Man Arrested After Puppy Found Abandoned and Tied in Drawstring Bag at Local Park
"During the investigation, it was determined through observations, interviews, and medical evaluations that an elderly female was living inside a residence with over 40 Wolf-Hybrid dogs and sustained injuries that led to a welfare check being conducted at the residence where the female resided," the post confirmed.
"Deputies found the inside and the outside conditions of the residence to be uninhabitable for people and dogs," it added.
After many consultations with medical professionals and veterinarian staff, the animals were humanely euthanized to protect public safety and pets in the area due to the diseases they might have been exposed to and carrying, the Sheriff's Office said.
Berry is now scheduled to appear in Lexington District Court on July 23.
Sheriff Richie Simmons of the Davidson County Sheriff's Office said he didn't have any further information to add when contacted by PEOPLE.
Per WXII, Fur-Ever Friends of North Carolina board member Maria Wood said it's illegal to own that specific breed of dog in the state.
“I will say this is probably the worst I’ve ever seen it as far as hoarding cases,” she told the outlet. “They’re left and right, they’re popping up here and there.”
Swen Pfortner/picture alliance via Getty Images
A stock image of a wolf-dog hybrid.Related: Fla. Man Arrested After Allegedly Dumping Dog in Trash Behind Store
Wood added that with the animals being feral and sick, this could've ended up being "really bad" within the Davidson County community.
“It could’ve imposed a huge threat to the community and other animals in the community, and it could’ve been really bad,” she told the publication. “The sad part is that they pay the price, and this woman did too.”
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Wood pointed out, “I think that it’s important for people to know that there is a correlation, a very high percentage of correlation between elder abuse, animal abuse and child abuse. Where there is one, there is another.”
“If somebody sees any kind of animal abuse or feels like an animal is being neglected or is concerned, we can also request a welfare check be done,” she continued.
Fur-Ever Friends didn't immediately respond after being contacted by PEOPLE for comment.
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