LINCOLNTON, NC — Several dogs in Lincoln County are dead after the owner tells deputies he forgot about them while working and staying in Charlotte and going through a bad separation.
Donald Armand, 26, is charged with two counts of animal cruelty after several dogs were reportedly found dead inside small kennels with no access to food or water.
A Rutherford Electric employee made the initial discovery Tuesday, according to reports, when he went to the Springdale Park Road home to cut off the power. He reported finding a dead dog inside a kennel at that time.
Deputies say search warrants were obtained for the property, and additional dogs were found dead from similar conditions as a result.
When questioned, Armand reportedly told investigators that he was going through a bad separation while staying and working in Charlotte. As a result, he says he forgot about the dogs.
Officials say an examination of the animals confirmed they died as a result of starvation.
