Wake man arrested, faces nine misdemeanor charges of animal cruelty

Within hours of his arrest, a Wake County man saw felony charges of animal cruelty downgraded to misdemeanors.

2026-01-13

Michael Thomas Duke, 64, of Fuquay-Varina was arrested on Monday. He faces nine misdemeanor charges of cruelty to animals, according to an arrest warrant.

Duke was initially charged with nine felonies. Each charge said that Duke "procured" an animal "to be tortured, mutilated, poisoned and killed."

A town of Fuquay-Varina spokesperson said the verbiage of the original charges contained inaccuracies.

Asked about the case, Dr. Jennifer Federico with Wake County Animal Services said that dogs were removed from Duke's home on Wilbon Road, but they did not have injuries that indicated the type of abuse laid out in the arrest warrant.