Local News
‘Animal Alliance’ pushes to remove Sheriff’s Office from Animal Services
As the Moore County Board of Commissioners considers expanding services at the county’s animal shelter, a petition launched by a group called “Moore Animal Alliance” is pressing for an overhaul of who oversees animal care.
The Change.org petition, titled “Animal Owners & Citizens of Moore County Join Us,” calls for removing the Sheriff’s Office from animal services, creating a new county department that reports directly to management, and hiring a professional animal welfare director to run long-term operations. It also seeks programs to reduce shelter intake, lower euthanasia rates, and involve volunteers in the design of any future shelters.
“Moore County is considering a bond to fund a new shelter in preparation to move our growing county forward,” reads the petition. “With respect to animal welfare, we request: that the sheriff’s office relinquish animal services in its entirety, that animal services is established as an independent department to report to county management, that a professional director of animal welfare is hired to create and oversee a long-term plan for animal services.”
Commissioners, however, have already endorsed a plan to add an in-house surgical suite and hire a full-time veterinarian at the Carthage facility. At a meeting in July of 2024, Sheriff Ronnie Fields told commissioners the changes would reduce transportation costs, improve animal care, and reinstate microchipping services for the community.
Commissioners also earlier noted potential partnerships with local schools offering veterinary technician programs and stressed the need for public education on spaying and neutering. The board has consistently praised the Sheriff’s Office for its community engagement and quick response to animal calls.
Commissioner Nick Picerno previously stated that the project “pays for itself” by reducing euthanasia rates and lowering adoption costs. All commissioners voiced their support and hoped that the new facility and program would be a significant upgrade.
Despite that progress, the Moore Animal Alliance and similar groups argue the county should remove the Sheriff’s Office from animal welfare entirely.
On the petition, one commenter suggests, “All of my pets have been adopted from a shelter my whole life, except 2. We need another shelter!”
“It seems this is directed to the residents of Moore County yet very few would be on Change.org,” writes another. “I hope it is being taken around to the people there and that this shelter is built with all provisions listed.”
Efforts on both fronts remain ongoing as the county prepares its budget and the petition continues to collect signatures.
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~ Written by Sandhills Sentinel Assistant Editor Abegail Murphy. Abegail has been writing for Sandhills Sentinel since 2021.
Photo via Canva Stock Photos.
Two people were arrested in connection with a series of vehicle break-ins linked to a Felony Lane Gang operating across multiple states.
According to the Aberdeen Police Department, officers responded to OrangeTheory Fitness on August 4 after a vehicle was broken into and items were reportedly stolen.
“Investigators began following leads and linked the case to similar cases in Southern Pines, Pinehurst, Foxfire, Pittsboro, High Point, and Fuquay-Varina,” states the Aberdeen Police Department in a press release. “A multi-jurisdictional investigation began, and investigators verified suspects in this case were part of a Felony Lane Gang that was targeting vehicles at gyms across several states.”
Detectives identified the suspect vehicle as a rental car and located it at Raleigh-Durham International Airport. Surveillance footage from a bank in Cary helped investigators identify Victoria Tudor, 48, of Raleigh, and Ethan Smith, 33, of Youngsville, as suspects.
Warrants were issued on September 26. Smith is facing charges of felony obtaining property by false pretenses, and Tudor is facing charges of felony conspiracy to obtain property by false pretenses. On November 7, officers with the Fuquay-Varina Police Department and the Raleigh Fugitive Task Force located the pair. Both were taken before a Wake County magistrate and received $5,000 secured bonds.
Police said the case remains open as investigators continue working with surrounding agencies to identify additional suspects.
All suspects and persons charged with a crime are considered innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
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Via Aberdeen Police Department.
Three people were arrested Thursday after Moore County Sheriff’s Office investigators executed a search warrant at a residence in the 100 block of Bell Fork Road in the Heflin Mobile Home Park in Aberdeen.
Detectives conducted the search on Nov. 13 and seized suspected cocaine, fentanyl, methamphetamine, psilocybin mushrooms, marijuana, multiple items of drug and marijuana paraphernalia, thirteen firearms, and more than $2,800 in cash.
Investigators arrested Jose Sanchez, 26, of Aberdeen, and charged him with felony possession of a Schedule I controlled substance; possession with intent to sell and deliver cocaine; felony possession of cocaine; possession with intent to sell and deliver marijuana; felony possession of marijuana; two counts of maintaining a vehicle or dwelling for controlled substances; and possession of drug paraphernalia. He was booked into the Moore County Detention Center under a $10,000 secured bond and is scheduled to appear in district court on Dec.10.
Tabitha Sanchez, 56, of Aberdeen, was charged with felony possession of a Schedule II controlled substance; simple possession of a Schedule VI controlled substance; and possession of drug paraphernalia. She was held at the Moore County Detention Center under a $5,500 secured bond and is also scheduled to appear in district court on Dec.10.
Brandy Grice, 50, of Aberdeen, was charged with possession of methamphetamine and possession of drug paraphernalia. She was committed to the Moore County Detention Center under a $5,500 secured bond and has the same Dec. 10 district court date.
All defendants facing criminal charges are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
Via Moore County Sheriff’s Office.
Two people were arrested in connection with a series of vehicle break-ins linked to a Felony Lane Gang operating across multiple states.
According to the Aberdeen Police Department, officers responded to OrangeTheory Fitness on August 4 after a vehicle was broken into and items were reportedly stolen.
“Investigators began following leads and linked the case to similar cases in Southern Pines, Pinehurst, Foxfire, Pittsboro, High Point, and Fuquay-Varina,” states the Aberdeen Police Department in a press release. “A multi-jurisdictional investigation began, and investigators verified suspects in this case were part of a Felony Lane Gang that was targeting vehicles at gyms across several states.”
Detectives identified the suspect vehicle as a rental car and located it at Raleigh-Durham International Airport. Surveillance footage from a bank in Cary helped investigators identify Victoria Tudor, 48, of Raleigh, and Ethan Smith, 33, of Youngsville, as suspects.
Warrants were issued on September 26. Smith is facing charges of felony obtaining property by false pretenses, and Tudor is facing charges of felony conspiracy to obtain property by false pretenses. On November 7, officers with the Fuquay-Varina Police Department and the Raleigh Fugitive Task Force located the pair. Both were taken before a Wake County magistrate and received $5,000 secured bonds.
Police said the case remains open as investigators continue working with surrounding agencies to identify additional suspects.
All suspects and persons charged with a crime are considered innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
To sign up for the free Sandhills Sentinel breaking news e-newsletter, please click here.
Via Aberdeen Police Department.
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