State News

Man accused of beating pit bull puppy to death in 2014

Authorities have accused a Fayetteville man of beating his 10-month-old pit bull puppy to death last May.

Posted Updated
James Strickland
FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. — Authorities have accused a Fayetteville man of beating his 10-month-old pit bull puppy to death last May.

Local media outlets report 34-year-old James Strickland was arrested at a halfway house by the Cumberland County Sheriff's Office on Tuesday and charged with felony cruelty to animals.

Lt. Elaine Smith, an investigator with Cumberland County Animal Control, said when Animal Control became aware of the case in May, Smith said the initial investigator didn't pursue it. When Smith joined the department in December, she was told about the case and reopened it.

Smith said Strickland has spent time in prison since the dogs was beaten for several charges. He is now in the county detention center under $10,000 bond, and online records don't indicate whether he has an attorney.

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