CHARLOTTE, NC — A brother and sister are charged with multiple counts of animal cruelty after investigators busted a puppy mill in Rutherford County.
Investigators say Dean and Barbara Upchurch kept the abused animals on properties in Mooresboro and one property in Cleveland County. Humane Society of Charlotte rescuers sedated more than 50 of the dogs to shave off matted hair. The dogs were also tested for parasites, heartworms and skin infections. Many of them are now ready for adoption.
“This dog had a three-pound mat on her shaved off. The first thing she did when we put her back into her kennel is that she started rubbing herself up against the side of the fence, because for the very first time in a long time she was able to feel her skin against something else,” said Jorge Ortega of the Humane Society.
The rescued dogs include English bulldogs, yorkies, cocker spaniels, French bulldogs and shih tzus.
