Seven dead dogs, and another three in poor health, were discovered Friday in a Union County, N.C., home. As of Monday, charges had not been filed.
According to police, the house belongs to Robert Laney, 48. Laney's estranged wife, Candace Laney, 60, told the Charlotte Observer newspaper that she moved out several months ago because of marital problems, and that her husband kept the dogs and said he was taking care of them.
Laney said she couldn't take the dogs when she and her husband split up because there was no room in her new home. Most of the dogs were older and had been part of a large litter that no one wanted, she said.
Candace Laney said her husband had the only key to the house, and over the past several months, she would drive by to drop off food for the dogs. Over a week ago, she said, she left her husband a note, then called police when she noticed it was still there several days later.
Police found a total of 10 dogs at the house. Four Mixed Breeds and one pit-bull-type dog were found dead inside the house, according to the police report, and two other dogs were dead on the back porch.
Three mixed-breed dogs were rescued and taken to the Union County Animal Shelter, according to police.
Posted: April 25, 2006, 5 a.m. EST