2 men charged in animal cruelty investigation of dozens of livestock at Garner property

GARNER, N.C. (WTVD) -- The Wake County Sheriff's Office is working with Animal Control officers as part of an animal cruelty investigation in a residential Garner neighborhood.

According to the Wake County Sheriff's Office, Wake County Animal Control officers responded to an animal cruelty case along the 7500 block of Trudy Lane on Friday. Upon arrival, they found more than 200 animals, and requested deputies to respond, stating "several of the animals were deceased, but most were emaciated."

After an investigation, officers and deputies determined that Ronald Kearney and Mohamed Dweydari lived on the property and were the caretakers of the animals -- which included sheep, cows, goats, mini horse, donkey, fowl and a kitten.

"For as many animals that they have, they should have more acreage. And we've even tried to tell (them) to alternate fields where they have the back field growing, the front field have them tend to. You alternate so you make sure they have food. But as you can see, it's just kind of bare," said one neighbor, who requested to remain anonymous.

She shared photos of goats roaming onto her property, noting the conditions of the animals has been an issue for several months.

"It's affected the kids because they'd see sick animals, some dead ones. My oldest girl would let them know 'Hey, you have a couple of dead animals in the front yard.' And they'd (go) 'Oh, OK. We'll take care of it," said the neighbor.

Kearney is being charged with 90 counts of felony animal cruelty and is being held at the Wake County Detention Center under a $90,000 secured bond. Court documents pertaining to Kearney's charges state 90 livestock were found to be "emaciated and injured requiring 3 to be euthanized." During Kearney's court appearance Monday, the prosecutor noted another animal died while investigators were on-scene.

"Can you please, please lower (the bond amount) or let me - I'm not going anywhere sir. I don't really know what I've done wrong," Kearney said during his hearing.

The judge denied Kearney's request; he is due back in court next month.

Dweydari was cited with one count of misdemeanor animal cruelty.

"It was nice to see that the animals have received some sort of justice, but you can't help the ones that have perished," said the neighbor.

Wake County Animal Control officers continue to count the number of animals impacted. A county spokesperson tells ABC11 that two calves have been taken to NC State Veterinary School.

In its press release, the Wake County Sheriff's Office noted Wake County Animal Control veterinarians placed animals that could be saved into rehabilitation centers.

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