News Article
Abused Dalmatian Case Ends
By: JOHN F. YOUMANS Of The Record Staff
Source: The Daily Record
12-14-2000
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The court has made a final decision concerning the abuse of
the now world-
renowned dalmatians, Duchess and Duke. The case was heard in
Superior Court
in Lillington Wednesday with Judge D. Jack Hooks Jr.
presiding.
Mervin and Cynthia Moats of 414 Nicole Drive, Sanford, were
both present
while their charges, cruelty to animals, was presented to
the judge by
Assistant District Attorney E. Neil Emory.
The dog, Duchess, belonging to the Moats, eventually died
from abuse. She
had suffered from a severe foot infection caused by a cut
from a chain or
similar object. Additionally, Duchess gave birth to several
litters of
puppies, some born dead in the last litter from a uterus
infection. One pup
lived, however, and was named Duke.
A neighbor, noticing the sick dog going untreated, took the
dog to a
veterinarian for treatment and began a long process of
bringing charges
against the Moats for cruelty to animals. It had gotten so
bad, the dog's
foot had rotted off. The case involved the Harnett County
Animal Control,
sheriff's department, county manager, board of commissioners
and was even
been placed on the Internet under the Web site
www.dalrescue.com .
The abuse of Dutchess and her pup Duke have gained the
sympathy of people
around the world. Many of these people have in turn
contacted Harnett County
officials stating their feelings about the case. The case
went to District
Court on Oct.2 and the couple was found guilty. They
appealed the ruling.
Wednesday the couple pleaded no contest before Judge Hooks.
This means that a
verdict of guilty will not appear in any documents or court
records, but the
sentence would be the same as a guilty sentence. After
listening to the
prosecuting and defense attorneys, the judge issued the
sentence.
The Moats received a sentence of 45 days jail time that was
suspended and
given five years unsupervised probation and directed not to
possess any
animals and not to reside anywhere there are animals. They
were also directed
to transfer ownership in writing of the dog Duke to Harnett
County.
Through their attorney, David McCrae, the Moats said they
tried to get
medical help for Duchess as money allowed; however, they had
no proof.
MORE ARTICLES - Leading up to final decision,
above:
9/14/2000
| 9/18/2000
| 9/19/2000
| 9/22/2000
| 10/13/2000
| 2/07/2001 (what
have we learned)
|
