ELIZABETH CITY, N.C. (WAVY) — The SPCA of Northeastern North Carolina Animal Shelter in Elizabeth City was fined $14,750 for violating various animal welfare regulations on Aug. 1, according to the Animal Welfare Section of the North Carolina Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services.
The Animal Welfare Section received a complaint July 14 of allegations that the animal shelter failed to provide adequate veterinary care to animals in its care and custody. Following the allegation, the Animal Welfare Section conducted an investigation July 17.
The investigation unveiled the animal shelter “failed to maintain records of veterinary care, including treatments, procedures and administration of medications.” These violations were discovered between March and July.
All medication is required to be documented, including date, time, strength and dosage of medicine under Title 02 NC Administrative Code.
The shelter also failed to properly maintain the disposition record, which included the date and type of euthanasia offered to a dog in their care, the Animal Welfare Section said.
According to the Animal Welfare Section, accurate records were not maintained within the shelter and “records were not provided [to the North Carolina Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services] upon request.”
The Animal Welfare Section mentioned the shelter failed to properly clean the closures a minimum of two times a day and “many dogs were housed in feces-covered kennels.”
The shelter’s Animal Welfare Section registration renewal stated that the daily cleanings occur at 8 a.m. and 4 p.m.,” but shelter staff stated a second cleaning had not been done.
The North Carolina Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services found the shelter to be in violation of 19 different provisions, resulting in civil penalties of $14,750.
The shelter is required to pay the civil penalties within 60 days or file a written petition to appeal the penalty assessment.
