Cary man accused of animal torture

Cary, N.C. — Editor's Note: Charles Becker was found not guilty of all charges at a trial in October 2009.

A Cary man is accused of torturing and tormenting his pets. The investigation began after a concerned neighbor called authorities.

Jack Keller is an animal lover. So when his neighbor's pets started showing signs of neglect, he says he called police.

“The rabbit cage, it had rabbit poop about 6 inches deep and the rabbit was just living on it,” Keller said.

Animal Control officials came to investigate the home on Sturdivant Drive in July.

According to a search warrant, investigators found 40 animals in the home. In a single room, there were 28 animals of different species living together.

Investigators described the conditions as "unsanitary" – with feces and urine throughout the house.

Owner Charles Becker was ordered to take some of the animals to a veterinarian, according to the search warrant. However, the animals were left in Becker's care.

“I gave up on calling the police anymore because the last time they came it didn't appear anything had happened. None of the animals were rescued,” Keller said.

Animal Control finally returned to the home this week.

Becker was charged with five counts of torturing and tormenting animals by depriving them of necessary medical care.

Animal Control officials said they did not remove any animals from the home this week either. An official with Cary police said the conditions did not warrant confiscating the animals.

Becker told WRAL News Tuesday evening the accusations have been blown out of proportion.

Keller says he just hopes the animals get the care they deserve.

40 Comments

WRAL.com welcomes your comments on this story. All comments are moderated prior to publication based on our posting guidelines. Please review them prior to posting and if your message is not approved.

VIEW ALL 40 COMMENTS

This story is closed for comments.

Latest Comments

I've been around and around with Cary Animal Control in the past. If you have a pet of the wrong type/breed they will run to the Chief as fast as humanly possible to get it declared a nuisance and ordered out of town. (Chow, Pit Bull, etc..) If you have a breed/type they think is cute, the law is pointless, they will not enforce leash or noise laws. Period. If you have a beagle or a cocker spaniel, well, they're cute and statistically far more likely to bite than other breeds, your dog can run wild without a leash and that's cool. No problem, animal control in Cary will even run interference for you if your neighbors protest your dog is defecating in their yard, biting their kid or attacking your dog. This is what happens when gov't employees have the discretion to enforce the law differentially. They make a mockery of the law.

WRALcensorsforIslam
October 15, 2008 4:32 p.m.

"They are much better off being euthanized humanely rather than the latter."

I will never believe a living breathing being is better off euthanized. Sure, some may not be able to afford the yearly physicals and shots, but if they're being loved and fed and sheltered, that's far better than being dead.

God bless.

Rev. RB

Spirit Warrior Woman - Rev. RB
October 15, 2008 1:24 p.m.

"Animal Control officials said they did not remove any animals from the home this week either. An official with Cary police said the conditions did not warrant confiscating the animals."

Animal control and the CPD should receive the same charges then, BECAUSE THEY LEFT THE POOR FURBABIES THERE.

WHAT IS WRONG WITH THEM!!!

Praying for these animals, that someone comes to rescue them and THAT THE AUTHORITIES LET THEM DO SO.

God bless.

Rev. RB

Spirit Warrior Woman - Rev. RB
October 15, 2008 1:23 p.m.

My interaction with the police department regarding the countless complaints against my neighbor's lack of respect to their neighbors regarding their harrassing rotweiller dog, resulted in my warning to the chief that if they don't uphold the law, I'll file a complaint with the SBI. I also informed the police that the "warnings" were being tossed in the garbage by the dog's owner, and their actions regarding those warnings, made the police's authority look like the local girl scouts. The dog went in when the cop showed up, and right back outside (at 3am mind you) once the cop left. When I laid out my plan of enforcement, the police stopped "warning" and started "fining", at $125 per complaint, as prescribed in the Wake County noise ordinance guidelines. Knowing my neighbors are struggling financially right now, I've been tolerant lately "they have kids", but when the leaves come down, if the dog isn't under control when he can see our house, i'll enforce the fines again, no problem.

bama211
October 15, 2008 1:22 p.m.

So what is AC going to do, wait til the animals are dead?