Search on for woman accused of animal cruelty in Chatham County
SILER CITY, N.C. (WTVD) -- A Chatham County woman is facing animal abuse charges after an investigation into allegations that numerous animals were abandoned without proper care.
Chatham County deputies responded to the 200 block of Herb Beavers Road in Siler City on July 9 after receiving a complaint that animals had been left behind at the property. Deputies learned that the property's resident, Maggi Elizabeth Brady, 37, had reportedly left the home in June.
Neighbors told deputies that two pigs had been found in a fenced enclosure without access to food or water. Additional animals, including chickens, ducks, rabbits and a dog, were found on the property.
The Chatham County Sheriff's Office and Chatham Sheriff's Animal Resource Center (ARC) executed a search warrant at the property and, after several days of work, seized two turkeys, one rabbit, 22 chickens and one dog.
Several other animals had wandered onto neighboring properties, where the owners agreed to care for them, the sheriff's office said.
Brady has not been located, but was charged with two counts of felony animal cruelty and 26 counts of misdemeanor abandoning an animal. The warrants have not yet been served.
Brady also has outstanding warrants from a separate Chatham County investigation, the sheriff's office said.
The recovered animals are available for adoption on a first-come, first-served basis at the Chatham Sheriff's Animal Resource Center, 725 Renaissance Drive in Pittsboro. The ARC is open daily from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Anyone with information regarding Brady's whereabouts is asked to please contact the Chatham County Sheriff's Office at (919) 542-2811 or submit information anonymously through the Chatham County Sheriff's Office app.
Anyone who suspects an animal is being neglected, abused or abandoned is encouraged to contact their local law enforcement agency or animal control office. Early reporting can help prevent further suffering and ensure animals receive appropriate care.
