A Moore County man wanted on multiple counts of felony animal cruelty was arrested Saturday, July 12, in Southern Pines, according to the Moore County Sheriff’s Office.
Rodney Morrison, previously sought in connection with a case reportedly involving dead, abused, and emaciated dogs in Pinebluff, was taken before a magistrate following his arrest and committed to the Moore County Detention Center under a $75,000 secured bond. He is scheduled to appear in Moore County District Court on Aug. 6.
According to a previous report from Sheriff Ronnie Fields, deputies with the Moore County Sheriff’s Office Animal Services responded that day to a call about a stray dog on Woodglen Way.
“This is one of the worst cases of animal neglect and cruelty I’ve seen in many years,” Fields said in a prior statement. “There is no excuse for the suffering these animals endured.”
Deputies had arrived to find a severely emaciated dog wandering the neighborhood. Through a follow-up investigation and information from concerned residents, they identified the address where the dog had been living.
At a residence in the 100 block of Woodglen Way, deputies reportedly found one dog deceased and another in a similarly emaciated condition. Local rescue groups were contacted for help but were at capacity and unable to assist. Despite efforts to care for the surviving dogs, their health deteriorated, and both had to be euthanized to prevent further suffering.
Deputies identified Morrison as the owner and spoke with him several times. However, he reportedly failed to return to the scene or cooperate with the investigation. A search warrant was executed at the home to ensure no additional animals were in distress.
Warrants were later issued for Morrison’s arrest on three counts of felony cruelty to animals and led to his eventual arrest on Saturday.
Photo: Rodney Morrison is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law—photo via Moore County Sheriff’s Office.
* Information and photo courtesy Moore County Sheriff’s Office.
