Garner man accused of starving dogs, alligator, boa constrictors

Wake County sheriff's deputies said they obtained a warrant Friday to search for drugs in Kelvin Leroy Dunston's home at 105 Forestwood Drive.

Arrest warrants state that deputies found two dead pit bulls tied to trees and an alligator, two boa constrictors and two lizards of an unknown species, all dead in various containers.

A female pit bull tied to a tree was still alive, the warrants state, but was emaciated and hadn't had food or water in a week.

Deputies also found a stolen Beretta .25-caliber handgun that belonged to the Johnston County Sheriff's Office, along with various drug paraphernalia, according to arrest warrants.

Dunston, 31, was charged with eight counts of felony animal cruelty and one count each of possession of a stolen firearm, possession with intent to sell or distribute marijuana, maintaining a dwelling place for a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia.

He was placed in the Wake County jail and scheduled to appear in court Monday.

Dunston was given a $148,000 secured bond. Court records noted that he was deemed a flight risk and had a history of charges.

State Department of Correction records show that Dunston was convicted in 2001 of misdemeanor convictions for larceny and possession of drug paraphernalia.