Illegal Franklin County kennel fined for not having enough space, not providing water for dogs

Documents obtained by WRAL News list several issues inside the facility, including not allowing enough space inside the enclosures for at least two dogs to turn and walk freely, not providing water to at least 15 dogs and not cleaning the enclosures at least twice a day.

It says inspectors found “unsanitary conditions present throughout the kennel, with excessive fecal and urine accumulations.”

The documents also state that Green Meadow Kennels was still operating, even after Green’s initial arrest Jan. 17 by Franklin County deputies.

NC dog kennel owner accused of killing one dog, torturing several others

“On January 19, 2024, [Animal Welfare Section] was notified by [Franklin County Animal Control] that the kennel accepted 2 dogs from a private owner for boarding on January 20, 2024," according to state documents.

It goes on to say, “On January 23, 2024, [Animal Welfare Section] received a forwarded email from [Franklin County Animal Control]. The original email dated January 20, 2024, was from a veterinarian that text the kennel on January 19, 2024 to confirm the boarding reservation she had with the kennel for her three dogs scheduled to start January 23, 2024. The email shows a response from the kennel owner confirming the reservation.”

According to the dates listed in the documents, that was just days after her second arrest, in which she was charged with torturing and killing a two-year-old rottweiler named Goober.

On Friday morning, Green appeared in court.

"I didn't think anything would happen," said Brandon Look, Goober's owner. "I didn't think any charges would happen. I'm glad to see that she's being held accountable."

Green’s first civil penalty from the state was served in November 2023. WRAL asked who was in charge of shutting down these unlicensed facilities and why it didn’t happen sooner.

“We don’t have the authority to shut a place down,” said Dr. Patricia Norris, the director of the Animal Welfare Section within the agriculture department. “We can issue multiple civil penalties. If you look at the civil penalty, you’ll see there is an appeal period of 60 days. We try to let the thing work its way through.”

She said the department can involve the sheriff’s office if owners do not comply.

“We try very hard to work with people to start to see how we can get them to comply with the Animal Welfare Act,” Norris explained. “If that does not seem to be successful, or it seems like they are escalating, or they’re not going to be willing to follow the state statutes, that’s when we will issue a civil penalty.”

People have 60 days to appeal after receiving a civil penalty. Norris said her office has not received an appeal from Green at this point.

Volunteers tell WRAL News that several dogs in an Atlanta-area animal shelter were being put in the care of Arcadia Animal Rescue, based in South Carolina, to prevent euthanasia. Those dogs would then either be fostered out to homes or sent to Green’s facility, Green Meadow Kennels, until they could find a foster or permanent adoption home.

“Sometimes, it just doesn’t make sense. We have way too many animals here in North Carolina. Our needs are tremendous. Our resources, like everywhere are just as limited,” Norris said.

Because of number of animals Green had at her facility under the rescue and the fact that many were considered ‘stray, homeless or unwanted animals,’ the state also cited Green for running an unregistered animal shelter.

“You are required to register as a animal shelter. That is any place that is housing unwanted, stray abandoned animals. In some cases, we’ve had places housing animals, putting adoption fairs out there, going out under a rescue’s name, gathering animals and bringing them to a site, that’s an unregistered shelter,” Norris said.

She said, typically, ten or more pets in one place is what constitutes an animal shelter.

“We’re looking at people who go out, bring in animals from different sources, put them up for adoption,” Norris explained.

People are required to get a license if they are hosting dogs at their facility or home for boarding or daycare. If someone comes to your home to watch your dogs or let them out, they are not required to be licensed with the North Carolina Department of Agriculture.

Green is scheduled to appear in court Friday morning at 9:30 a.m. She is facing 16 total counts of animal cruelty.