MOUNT HOLLY, N.C. — Officials charged a Mount Holly man with cruelty to animals Friday after an investigation by the Gaston County Police Animal Care and Enforcement.
An Animal Care and Enforcement specialist first investigated Derek Weatherly, 25, based on an animal cruelty complaint on Wednesday, March 11, at his house on Peppertree Drive.
The specialist found two dogs, including the one involved in the complaint.
A video shared on social media did not align with the condition of the dog, officials said.
The specialist said the dog looked noticeably thin, but it did not seem sick.
Officials gave Weatherly a warning for cruelty, which required he take the dog to the vet and cooperate with a checkup visit by the specialist.
When the specialist returned to the Mount Holly home, Weatherly said that the dog had just died in the car on the way to the vet, according to officials.
Weatherly has since surrendered his three remaining dogs. They did not need treatment and were taken to the Gaston County animal shelter.
Officials charged Weatherly with two counts of misdemeanor cruelty to animals, possession of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia.
Weatherly was released under a $2,500 unsecured bond.