Deputies are searching for a Moore County man accused of neglecting dogs to the point that they had to be euthanized.
According to the Moore County Sheriff's Office, deputies responded to a call on Wednesday about a stray dog in a neighborhood on Woodglen Way in Pinebluff.
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A severely emaciated dog was found wandering the street. Deputies spoke to neighbors to find the home where the dog was living and discovered two additional dogs on the property.
One of the dogs found at the home was extremely skinny and in poor condition, and the other dog was dead, according to the sheriff's office.
Arrest warrants were obtained for the owner, Rodney Morrison, who faces three counts of felony cruelty to animals. Morrison, who has not yet been charged, has not complied with requests from the sheriff's office to return to his property.
Anyone with information about Morrison's whereabouts is urged to contact the Moore County Sheriff’s Office at (910) 947-2931, submit a tip on the Moore County Sheriff’s Office App or submit a tip anonymously via the Sheriff’s Office Tip Line at (910) 947-4444.
The Moore County Sheriff's Office said deputies contacted local rescue groups to help the animals, but they were all at capacity and unable to take the dogs. After a day of care and treatment, the dogs' conditions worsened, and they were euthanized.
“This is one of the worst cases of animal neglect and cruelty I’ve seen in many years,” said Sheriff Ronnie Fields. “There is no excuse for the suffering these animals endured. I strongly encourage anyone who has information on Rodney Anthony Morrison’s whereabouts to contact our office immediately.”