CALDWELL COUNTY, N.C. — Dozens of dogs and cats seized earlier this month in a Caldwell County cruelty case are off to start a new chapter of life.
The Humane Society of the United States said it has taken in 55 dogs and four cats saved from what authorities called "hoarding conditions" in Lenoir. The organization arrived Wednesday to retrieve the pets from Caldwell County Animal Care and Enforcement.
Two people are facing charges in the case. Lisa Maria Meatyard and Karen Renee Harris were arrested after Caldwell County Animal Care Enforcement rescued 66 animals from their home on Greasy Creek Road. The Humane Society said it was a 960-square-foot residence with animals living in stacked cages in overcrowded, filthy conditions.
Animals seized include 58 dogs, three ducks, a ferret, and four cats.
The Humane Society said the animals it rescued are at its rehabilitation facility in Maryland, where they will receive care and, eventually, take next steps towards finding forever homes.
The organization said it also transported several other adoptable dogs from the Caldwell County animal shelter, since its kennels were over capacity.
“Like many communities around the country, Caldwell County is struggling with the shelter capacity crisis," Gail Thomssen, North Carolina state director for the Humane Society of the United States, said. "When large-scale cases like this are added on top of providing their day-to-day services, they are stretched even further. We are grateful to Caldwell County for helping these animals and calling on us to bring them to our care and rehabilitation center so they can begin their next chapter.”
“Caldwell County Animal Care and Enforcement appreciates the assistance of the Humane Society of the United States in caring for the animals surrendered to our shelter,” Richard Gilliland, Caldwell County Animal Care and Enforcement director, said. “When rescue partners like the HSUS take animals from our shelter, we know those animals will receive the best possible care.”
Meatyard and Harris are facing 59 counts of animal cruelty, and authorities said other charges were pending.
In 2021, Meatyard was arrested after more than 60 animals were rescued from a property in Caldwell County. The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) said dogs of varying breeds and sizes, including newborn puppies, were found living in a shack, the floor of which was covered in feces, urine and mud. Livestock and poultry were also found living among piles of trash.
Meatyard agreed to surrender all her animals following her arrest, including goats, a goose, ducks, cows, roosters, an iguana and dogs. She was sentenced to 18 months probation and prohibited from owning any animals during that time.
Contact Vanessa Ruffes at vruffes@wcnc.com and follow her on Facebook, X and Instagram.