Pink Hill man faces animal cruelty charges after 20 dogs seized
Images from Lenoir County Animal Services Facebook page.
A Lenoir County resident has been arrested and charged with animal cruelty after multiple animals were found in severely emaciated conditions.
James Edward Phillips Jr., of Murphy Road in Pink Hill, NC, was arrested on March 6, 2026, following a welfare check by Lenoir County Animal Control that found twenty hound-type dogs in poor physical condition and living in unsanitary environments. A search warrant was executed by Lenoir County Animal Control, and all twenty dogs were seized.
On March 6, 2026, Phillips was charged with four counts of misdemeanor Animal Cruelty and four counts of misdemeanor Instigating Cruelty to Animals.
On March 23, 2026, he was additionally charged with sixteen counts of misdemeanor Animal Cruelty and sixteen counts of misdemeanor Instigating Cruelty to Animals.
Lenoir County Animal Control encourages anyone with information related to this case to contact Animalcontrol@lenoircountync.gov or call 252-526-4200 Ext. 4309.
