70 animals seized, pair charged in animal cruelty case
MORGANTON, N.C. -- Authorities have seized dozens of animals from a home in Morganton and have charged two people with animal cruelty.
Multiple media outlets report that 70 animals, which included 19 dogs and 36 snakes, were seized from the home on Friday. Two people who live at the home - 23-year-old Andrew Julian Moore and 24-year-old Stephanie Michelle McElhany - each face nine misdemeanor counts of animal cruelty.
The Burke County Sheriff's Office said in a news release that more charges are pending in the case.
Burke authorities say animal control had been monitoring the home since May 2013. This summer, authorities say the animals' conditions "declined significantly."
In all, deputies seized six horses, six donkeys, 19 dogs, one rat, one ferret, one cat and 36 snakes.
