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Animal Services reports investigation after social-media posts about neonatal puppies
Summary
Animal Services briefed the Board on a March 15 incident in Kings Mountain involving neonatal puppies allegedly found in a trash container; officers found live puppies on the property, inconsistent resident statements, and the mother dog was later surrendered — the case remains under investigation.
Animal Services Director Jenna Mullinax provided an informational report about a highly visible animal welfare complaint from March 15, 2026, in the Kingston Road area of Kings Mountain. She said a caller, Melissa Moreno, reported approximately five neonatal puppies found in a trash container and that neighbors were attempting to bottle-feed them. Mullinax emphasized the allegations had not been independently verified at the time of the call and that Animal Services dispatched an officer within about an hour to investigate.
The responding officer contacted the property’s elderly grandmother and walked the yard with permission. The officer did not find puppies in a trash container but located live puppies inside a doghouse with the mother dog, known locally as "Little Bit." The grandmother gave inconsistent accounts about whether any puppies had been placed in a trash bag; the officer documented conditions and left the case open for follow-up by full staff the next business day. Mullinax told the Board the mother dog was later surrendered to Animal Services and the situation remains under active review.
Mullinax said the purpose of the report was to provide factual clarification after strong social-media attention, to outline the department’s response timeline, and to assure the Board the case is being managed in accordance with Animal Services procedures and applicable laws.
