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Kenly woman arrested after 11 dead dogs found at home

Wilson County authorities said Friday that a Kenly woman wanted on animal cruelty charges turned herself in, but a man wanted on the same charges is still on the loose.

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KENLY, N.C. — Wilson County authorities said on Friday that a Kenly woman turned herself in after 11 dogs were found dead inside her abandoned home.

Patricia Ann Williams turned herself in to the Wilson County Sheriff's Office after warrants for arrest were issued on Thursday for her and Jimmy Carroll Williams Jr., according to a news release from the county. Patricia Ann Williams was taken to the Wilson County Detention Center under a $5,000 bond.

Officials said the whereabouts of Jimmy Williams is still unknown, and it's possible that he's out of the state.

The warrants for the couple were issued after deputies responded on Wednesday to a report of dogs running loose at 9235 Lefty Road. No one was at the home, but the deputies saw through a window two dead dogs on the floor inside, authorities said.

After obtaining a search warrant and going inside, the deputies found nine more dead dogs inside and outside the home, authorities said. Another 10 dogs and two iguanas were found alive.

Officials said the surviving animals are being treated at the Wilson County Animal Shelter.

An investigation determined that Jimmy and Patricia Williams had abandoned the property, leaving the animals behind, adding that heat and water at the home had been turned off since Jan. 19.

Both Jimmy and Patricia Williams were charged with 11 counts of killing an animal by starvation, 11 counts of animal cruelty, 23 counts of abandonment and 21 counts of failure to vaccinate.

Anyone with information on the whereabouts of Jimmy Williams is asked to call Lt. Todd O’Neal of the Wilson County Sheriff’s Office at 252-237-2118.

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