A North Carolina man, Melvin “Sonny” Berry, has been arrested on charges of animal cruelty and domestic elderly abuse/neglect with serious injuries.
The investigation began in June 2024 after a welfare check was performed on a residence in the Denton area. Davidson County Sheriff’s Office Deputies discovered an elderly woman living in deplorable conditions with over 40 unsocialized wolf-hybrid dogs.
“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. Deputies found the inside and the outside conditions of the residence to be uninhabitable for people and dogs,” said DCSO.
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Following consultations with medical professionals and veterinarians, the difficult decision was made to humanely euthanize the animals due to their feral nature and potential health risks they posed to public safety and other pets in the area.
“The dogs inside the residence were not social and were later determined to be feral. After lots of consultations with medical professionals and veterinarian staff the animals had to be Humanely Euthanized to protect Public Safety as well as the safety of surrounding pets in the area, due to the diseases that these dogs were exposed to and carrying. An order from a Superior Court Judge was signed directing the animals to be Euthanized,” said DCSO.
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Berry faces one count of felony domestic elderly abuse/neglect with serious injuries, one misdemeanor local ordinance charge, and 20 misdemeanor animal cruelty charges. He is scheduled to appear in Lexington District Court on July 23, 2024.
Any additional information regarding this case is urged to contact Deputy C. Soles at the Davidson County Sheriff’s Office Animal Control Division at 336-242-2105.
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