Eight dogs found dead, 32 others seized in Beaufort County raid

Dozens of dogs have been seized, while deputies say they found eight other dogs dead during a raid in Beaufort County.

Deputies have charged three people with felony animal cruelty counts after the search last Monday of property on Davis Lane in Pinetown.

There they found several emaciated dogs with no access to food or water, and deputies say they discovered eight different sites on the property where the animals were kept in pens.

They found skeletal remains of five dogs, one dead dog, and two dead puppies, according to a news release. Thirty-two dogs, which deputies say were Walker Deer Hounds and still alive, were seized.

Chief Billy Lassiter, Beaufort County Animal Control, says, "The conditions were deplorable. You know, no food or water. There was mud in the pens, they were living in filth, and covered in ticks. There were deceased animals The ones that were there were panting and you could just tell, you know, they were in bad shape."

One of those dogs was immediately euthanized after being assessed by a veterinarian, according to the sheriff's office.

Kenneth Davis, 29, of Belhaven, and Leanne Alvarez, 24, of Belhaven, were charged with 34 counts of felony cruelty to animals and six counts of felony killing an animal by starvation.

Lloyd Davis, 44, also of Belhaven, was charged with five counts of felony cruelty to animals and one count of felony killing an animal by starvation.

The three were arrested on Wednesday. Kenneth Davis and Alvarez were jailed on $100,000 bonds, while Lloyd Davis' bond was set at $15,000.

Lassiter says because of the number of dogs that the shelter is taking care of, animal control is asking for anyone who would like to help to please bring food to their facility to help feed these dogs while they work out the adoption process.