CALDWELL COUNTY, N.C. — Two people are facing charges after Caldwell County authorities seized dozens of animals from a home in Lenoir.
Lisa Maria Meatyard and Karen Renee Harris were arrested after Caldwell County Animal Care Enforcement rescued 66 animals that were living in hoarding conditions, deputies say. The animals were seized from their home on Greasy Creek Road in Lenoir.
Animal Care Enforcement officers seized 58 dogs, three ducks, a ferret and four cats from the property. All of the animals are being cared for by Caldwell County until they can be released to vetted rescue groups in the region.
Meatyard and Harris each face 59 counts of animal cruelty. Meatyard was also charged with violating the sex offender registry. Officials said more charges are pending in the investigation. Meatyard is being held under a $99,000 bond.
In 2021, Meatyard was arrested after more than 60 animals were rescued from a property in Caldwell County. The ASPCA said dogs of varying breeds and sizes, including newborn puppies, were found living in a shack that's floor was covered in feces, urine and mud. Livestock and poultry were found living among piles of trash.
Meatyard agreed to surrender all her animals following her arrest, including goats, a goose, ducks, cows, roosters, an iguana and dogs. She was sentenced to 18 months probation and prohibited from owning any animals during that time.
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