Goldsboro, N.C. — A Fremont man, whom authorities charged earlier this month with three counts of misdemeanor animal cruelty, now faces a fourth charge because four dead owls were found on his property.
Lawton McKenzie, 28, of Old Black Creek Road, was arrested Jan. 6 after animal control officers seized dismembered animals, a machete, knives, bowls of blood and what appeared to be a decapitated puppy’s head in a bag. Investigators also removed 26 living animals from the home.
Owls are protected under state law.
A Wayne County judge ruled Thursday that McKenzie must also pay the county for the upkeep of animals seized from his home last month.
The county filed a civil complaint against him last week and also requested he post sufficient funds with the Wayne County Clerk of Superior Court to ensure the care of the animals for an additional 30 days.
McKenzie has five working days to post the $8,640 necessary for the upkeep of the animals or he automatically forfeits them.
McKenzie has denied the animal cruelty charges, saying he was studying taxidermy and that he began picking up animal carcasses for that purpose.
Alert
-
Breaking News: U.S. Highway 401 in Franklin County is closed Thursday evening between N.C. Highway 98 and Tarboro Road due to a wreck. At least one person was seriously injured and airlifted from the scene.
-
Just In: A pedestrian was struck by a vehicle at Duraleigh and Pleasant Valley roads in Raleigh Thursday evening. All eastbound lanes on Duraleigh Road are closed, police said. Expect delays in the area.
Fremont man faces new animal cruelty charge for dead owls
RELATED TOPICS: Wayne County
Copyright 2011 by Capitol Broadcasting Company. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
7 Comments
Multimedia
Key dates in the investigation of Lance Armstrong on charges he used performance-enhancing drugs.
Key events in Iran's relations with the West.
An interactive look at the controversial decision and reversal of the Susan G. Komen Foundation to stop funding breast exams at Planned Parenthood.
FREE Home Performance Assessment from GreenHorizon
Free Car Wash with Every Service-Fred Anderson Kia
advertisement



![[SLIDESHOW]](http://wwwcache.wral.com/asset/entertainment/out_and_about/2012/02/02/10707648/bbpics_miyon53519-100x75.jpg)
![[SLIDESHOW]](http://wwwcache.wral.com/asset/lifestyles/travel/2012/02/09/10710709/10710709-1328829176-100x75.jpg)
![[SLIDESHOW]](http://wwwcache.wralsportsfan.com/asset/basketball/2012/02/09/10705803/10705803-1328766083-100x75.jpg)
![[SLIDESHOW]](http://wwwcache.wral.com/asset/lifestyles/travel/2012/02/08/10704761/10704761-1328743348-100x75.jpg)





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.
This story is closed for comments. Comments on WRAL.com news stories are accepted and moderated between the hours of 8 a.m. and 8 p.m. Monday through Friday.
January 16, 2009 10:46 a.m.
January 16, 2009 10:34 a.m.
January 16, 2009 10:30 a.m.
January 16, 2009 9:11 a.m.
January 16, 2009 8:54 a.m.