NAME: Dean Edward Upchurch, 50 and Barbara Ann Upchurch, 45 WHERE: Rutherford County, North Carolina CRIME: A brother and sister charged with numerous counts of animal cruelty and abuse of dogs are scheduled for trial in district court today. Officials found over 50 dogs at the property living in terrible conditions. Judge Rob Martelle will preside over court as Dean Edward Upchurch, 50, of 824 Withrow Road in Forest City and Barbara Upchurch, 45, of 2627 Ferry Road in Mooresboro. Attorney Calvin Coleman of Shelby is representing Mr. Upchurch and Mark Morris of Rutherfordton is representing Mrs. Upchurch. Dean Upchurch was charged with 41 counts of misdemeanor animal cruelty and Barbara Upchurch was charged with three counts of misdemeanor animal cruelty and one count of instigating or promoting animal cruelty after 52 dogs were rescued, seized and surrendered to law enforcement officers on June 12. The Rutherford County Animal Control officers were assisted by the Humane Society of the United States and the Humane Society of Charlotte in the rescue of the abused and neglected dogs. Officers received a tip on June 9 in reference to an animal owner with a large number of dogs. Officers went to the residence located on Ferry Road and discovered over 50 dogs at the property living in terrible conditions. A search warrant was executed on June 11 for the Ferry Road address but only seven dogs were still on the property. After further investigation, officers discovered seven were in Cleveland County, 14 were taken to a residence off Withrow Road in Forest City and 24 others were taken to a home near Ellenboro. Two weeks after the dogs were transported to the Humane Society of Charlotte, all the dogs were adopted and given new homes. Charges are pending in a separate case wheren 60 dogs and cats were recovered from the residence in Henrietta on Oct. 3. The dogs were rescued and taken to locations in Charlotte and western North Carolina where they will be prepared for adoption.
Posted on: Mon, 20 Oct 2014 18:24:09 +0000
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