VALDESE, N.C. — Police in Valdese are conducting an active animal cruelty investigation after two dogs were seized for maltreatment, resulting in the death of one animal.
The animals were transferred to the Burke County Animal Resource Center for safekeeping, where one dog died overnight due to the severity of its injuries.
The animal resource center reported that officers brought both dogs to the facility as part of the criminal probe.
“Two dogs were recently brought to our facility for safekeeping as part of an animal cruelty investigation being conducted by the Town of Valdese,” the center stated. “Sadly, one of the dogs passed away overnight due to the severity of the maltreatment he had experienced.”
Burke County Animal Resource Center said this case was “particularly difficult” and the center was closed on Friday to give the team time to debrief.
The center didn’t say if police had identified a suspect in the case.
“Cases involving animal cruelty have an impact not only on the animals involved, but also on the professionals who care for them,” the organization said. “We take animal abuse and cruelty seriously and we are grateful for our partnerships with local law enforcement agencies as we work together to protect animals throughout our community.”
The center reopened with normal operating hours on Saturday.
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