Fort Bragg soldier charged in connection with dead dogs

Al Richard Charlie, 32, is accused of killing a female Labrador mixed breed and her puppy on May 4 at the home of their owner, then driving to a wooded lot on Camden Road the next day and dumping them, the Cumberland County Sheriff's Office said.

“The mamma dog, her throat was cut so viciously that it completely transected,” said Dr. John Lauby, Cumberland County animal control director.

The dogs belonged to an acquaintance of the suspect, authorities said. The acquaintance is not a suspect in the case, investigators said.

Charlie, who recently returned from deployment overseas, is charged with two counts each of felony larceny of a canine, felony possession of stolen property, felony animal cruelty and improper disposal of a domestic animal.

"As far as I know, there was no cause to harm these dogs, and to see something that brutal done to two innocent creatures is very disturbing and very troubling,” said Lt. Elaine Smith, a Cumberland County animal control officer. “And we are hoping if this individual is found guilty, he will be prosecuted appropriately."

Charlie was charged earlier this year with domestic violence, and was charged in 2013 with unlawfully discharging a firearm, authorities said.

Officials received a phone call Wednesday night that may have led them to Charlie.

"A person had called and said they were the owner of the dogs and that they were going to come in and talk with them this morning,” Lauby said.

The discovery shocked Christopher Sanchez, who owns three dogs and lives near where the animals were found.

“I hope they really get found because this is really something serious,” he said. “It just as much might as well be a person. If you'll do it to a dog, you can might as well do it to a person easily."