Bessemer City woman arrested for abandoning puppies near dumpster

Gaston County Police have made an arrest in the case involving 8 puppies abandoned at the former animal shelter location.

On Wednesday April 8 th , 2026 at approximately 1:00 pm Gaston County Animal Care & Enforcement was made aware of 8 newborn puppies that had been abandoned in a box next to a dumpster at the old Gaston County Animal Shelter.

Video surveillance in the area was utilized to capture the suspect dropping the puppies off Wednesday morning 4/8/26 at 8:44 am. To help identify the suspect a plea to the public for assistance was utilized on the GCACE social media platforms.

Within a short time, the suspect was identified and interviewed on 4/9/26 at her residence in Bessemer City.

Heather Nicole Knight, 39, admitted to the crime and surrendered the female dog, Roxie, so that she could be reunited with her pups.

Knight was later arrested by Gaston County Police Officers for 8 counts of animal abandonment and 8 counts of cruelty to animals. She was issued a $10,000 unsecured bond and will appear in court at a later date.

Roxie and her pups have been pulled by Old Dominion Humane Society and are being transported to their facility in Fredericksburg, VA. where they will remain until the pups are old enough for vetting and adoption.