Animal shelter fined after hundreds of dogs, cats found dead

Lincoln County Animal Services has been fined $7,500 after more than 200 cats and dogs have been found dead in their cages since March, apparently victims of an uncontained disease outbreak.

Two dead cats were found in their kennels in March, according to findings of fact from the N.C. Department of Agriculture’s veterinary division. From there, it snowballed. Twenty-three animals were found dead in their kennels in May. In September, 56 animals were found dead.

“Although it is not uncommon for a small number of animals to be found deceased in their kennel at a shelter, the large increase in this number starting in May 2015 … is consistent with a disease problem,” authorities wrote.

According to court documents, inspectors couldn’t find any program for disease control written by a veterinarian. And a review of animal records showed prescribed medications weren’t administered as directed by a vet. Other medication logs were missing required information.

The biggest chunk of the fine, $5,000, comes from failure to obtain and follow a veterinarian’s written recommendation for a disease problem. The shelter was also fined $500 for failing to clean animal enclosures twice a day.

No one answered a telephone call at the shelter on Sunday afternoon.

This story was originally published December 20, 2015 at 6:54 PM with the headline "Animal shelter fined after hundreds of dogs, cats found dead."