Matthew Neal, 32, a man from Pink Hill, North Carolina, and the owner of East Carolina Retrievers, has been arrested by Lenoir County deputies after allegedly being caught on video beating a dog.
The Lenoir County Sheriff’s Office executed warrants against Neal at an address listed as his home and business around 12:30 a.m. on Wednesday, leading to nine felony charges of animal cruelty. Additionally, in Duplin County, he faces two misdemeanor charges for cruelty to animals.
One video reportedly shows Neal beating a dog and then grabbing it by the neck and forcefully slamming it to the ground. In two other videos, Neal is allegedly seen abusing the dog again, with audible sounds of the dog’s distress during the beating.
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According to Neal’s business Facebook page, East Carolina Retrievers specializes in training and campaigning hunting retrievers and gun dogs.
Lenoir County Sheriff Jack Rogers said they took 11 dogs from the property and housed them in a safe location.
“We confiscated the 11 dogs on the property,” Sheriff Jackie Rogers said. “They will be housed in a safe location this morning.
Neal received a $45,000 secured bond in Lenoir County and a $2,000 secured bond in Duplin County.
