The Lenoir County Sheriff’s Office announced on social media that an arrest had been made in the case of Matthew Neal and that 11 dogs were now in protective custody. Around 12:30 a.m., LCSO and Sheriff Jackie Rogers descended on the residence of 32-year-old Neal and his business, East Carolina Retrievers, at 2967 Ash Davis Road in Pink Hill.

LCSO says Neal has been charged with nine counts of felony cruelty to animals in Lenoir County. He also faces two misdemeanor counts of cruelty to animals in Duplin County. Neal has a $45,000 secured bond in Lenoir County and a $2,000 secured bond in Duplin County.

Authorities confiscated eleven dogs from the property. LCSO was assisted by the Lenoir County Animal Control unit, the Craven County Sheriff’s Office’s Animal Control unit, and Duplin County Animal Control.