State Fines Unlicensed Newton Grove Dog Boarding Facility After 5 Dogs Die

NEWTON GROVE, N.C. – The owner of an unlicensed in-home dog boarding operation in Sampson County has been assessed a $5,000 civil penalty following an investigation into the deaths of five dogs.

The N.C. Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services issued the penalty Aug. 18 to Ulyses Bridges, owner and operator of an in-home boarding kennel on Spivey Corner Highway near Newton Grove.

State records show the facility did not have a boarding kennel license.

The investigation began July 7 after the state’s Animal Welfare Section received information from Sampson County Animal Control that five dogs had died while being boarded at the residence over the July 4 holiday.

According to the state’s findings, a Sampson County animal control officer responded to the property July 7 and reported that none of the remaining dogs had water in their kennels at the time of his visit.

The following day, a state animal welfare inspector and the animal control officer returned to the property. All but one of the dogs had water during that visit, according to the report.

One golden retriever-type dog being boarded was found tied outside beneath a tree. Because of the extreme heat, the state inspector directed Bridges to bring the dog into an air-conditioned area.

Five Dogs Died

Bridges told investigators he had been boarding dogs from his home through Rover for approximately 18 months.

According to the state’s findings, Bridges said a new air-conditioning unit had been installed in the boarding area during the afternoon of July 3. He told investigators he set the unit at approximately 10 p.m. to operate until 5 a.m.

When Bridges checked the animals between approximately 6:40 and 7 a.m. July 4, he reported finding two dogs dead and three others in distress.

The three distressed dogs subsequently died or were euthanized because of their conditions, according to the state investigation.

Ordered To Stop Boarding Dogs

During the July 8 inspection, Bridges was directed to return the remaining boarding dogs to their owners and stop boarding animals until he obtained a state boarding kennel license.

A follow-up inspection July 13 found no boarding dogs at the property. Investigators reported only dogs belonging to Bridges and his roommate were present.

A review of state records found that neither Bridges nor the Newton Grove location had ever been issued a boarding kennel license by the Animal Welfare Section.

The state concluded Bridges was operating a boarding kennel without a license and assessed the maximum $5,000 civil penalty allowed for a violation under the N.C, Animal Welfare Act.

Operating a boarding kennel without a valid license is also a Class 3 misdemeanor under state law, with each day of operation constituting a separate offense.

Bridges has 60 days from the Aug. 18 notice to pay the penalty, file a petition for a contested case hearing with the N.C. Office of Administrative Hearings, or seek an informal settlement with the state.