Pair charged after deputies find 3 dead dogs in yard, others in cages

HIDDENITE, N.C. — Two people have been arrested after deputies found several dead dogs in a yard with chains on them, and others locked in cages at an Alexander County home.

The Alexander County Sheriff's Office said it got an anonymous tip about animal cruelty at a home on Hiddenite Road in the Hiddenite community.

When deputies got to the house, they found three dogs that had died along with nine other dogs that were severely malnourished, as well as a cat.

The dogs that died were found in dog lots with one on a collar and chain, according to the sheriff's office.

Authorities said officers left to get a search warrant, but when they returned, they found the three dead dogs had been buried.

The surviving animals were all seized from the property and taken to an area animal hospital to be evaluated.

Channel 9's Dave Faherty spoke with the county's director of animal control. She said their hope is to get the dogs healthy again and find them a home in the area.

Christopher Bowes, 44, was arrested at the house on Friday and charged with three counts of felony kill an animal by starvation.

(Christopher Bowes, Kayla Adams)

Three days later, deputies charged him with an additional six counts of misdemeanor animal cruelty for the six dogs that were "deprived of necessary sustenance."

Kayla Adams, 26, was charged with three counts of felony kill an animal by starvation and six counts of misdemeanor animal cruelty.

They are both being held at the Alexander County Sheriff's Office Detention Center under $70,000 bonds.

No other information has been released.

This is an ongoing investigation. Check back with wsoctv.com for more information. 

Cox Media Group