Target: Sheriff Tyrone Ruffin, Bertie County Sheriff’s Office, North Carolina
Goal: Secure the swift arrest of the named suspects and urge prosecutors to seek the maximum lawful penalties, permanent animal-ownership bans, and restitution after three dogs were reportedly found dead while chained and severely decayed.
PETA field workers performing a welfare check allegedly discovered three deceased dogs at a residence previously occupied by two women, with the animals reportedly found in a severely decayed state and said to have died while chained. Deputies were called to the scene and learned the occupants had moved out while the dogs were apparently left behind without care. According to the sheriff, necropsies could not be performed due to advanced decay, which allegedly points to prolonged abandonment without basic sustenance or oversight.
Authorities say arrest warrants have been obtained for two former occupants on counts that reportedly include animal cruelty and abandonment. The facts described paint a disturbing picture of prolonged suffering. Dogs chained without dependable access to food, water, or shelter face a slow, fear-filled death. When such alleged neglect is allowed to linger unseen, it sends a message that companion animals can be discarded without consequence.
Accountability matters. Robust enforcement and strong charging decisions deter copycats, protect surviving animals, and honor the lives reportedly lost on those chains. This petition calls for immediate apprehension of the named suspects, vigorous advocacy for the toughest charges supportable by evidence, permanent bans on owning or controlling animals, and full restitution for removal, care, and humane disposition costs. Justice must reflect the gravity of this alleged cruelty.
PETITION LETTER:
Dear Sheriff Ruffin,
We respectfully urge your office to expedite the apprehension of the named suspects after field workers reportedly found three dogs deceased and severely decayed. They animals are said to have died while chained at a residence they formerly occupied. The public accounts describe a troubling pattern of alleged abandonment that, if proven, reflects extreme neglect and prolonged suffering.
Please prioritize serving the outstanding warrants, coordinating closely with prosecutors, and urging the maximum lawful penalties supported by the evidence. We further ask that you advocate for court-ordered, permanent prohibitions on animal ownership or control, as well as restitution to cover removal, veterinary, and sheltering expenses. Such measures protect future animals, reinforce community safety, and make clear that abandonment and cruelty will face decisive consequences.
Thank you for treating this case with the urgency it deserves and for continuing to champion justice for animals who cannot speak for themselves.
Sincerely,
[Your Name Here]
Photo credit: Dipakpoojary
