ASHEBORO NC – A Randolph County man has been charged with multiple felonies for animal cruelty after police found 4 dogs who died from starvation on his property.
On April 14, 2021, the Randolph County Sheriff’s Office was called to Kings Mountain Rd. in Asheboro to help Randolph County Animal Services who were checking on animals at a residence.
Animal Services told deputies they had seen at least one dog deceased in a kennel and multiple dogs that appeared to be extremely malnourished inside the home when they looked in the window. According to information from the Randolph County Sherriff’s Office the owner of the dogs, Michael Thomas Hamilton, Jr., had not been seen since Friday, April 9th. Animal Services seized the animals and while doing so located two additional deceased dogs inside the home, both in wire cage kennels. A fourth deceased dog was found in an outbuilding.
After conducting an investigation the Randolph County Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigation Division obtained warrants for Hamilton for the following charges
- Three counts of Felony Kill Animal by Starvation
- Five counts of Misdemeanor Abandonment of an Animal
- Five counts of Misdemeanor Cruelty to Animal.
On April 20, 2021, Hamilton was located, arrested, and transported to the Randolph County Detention Center where he was served his Warrants. He was given a $15,000 secured bond and a first appearance was set for April 21, 2021, in Randolph County District Court.