Andrea Rosebrock 
Steve Thomas Hudson or Morganton, NC, operated a fruit and vegetable stand just feet from dark, tiny airless sheds where almost 2 dozen dogs were living in deplorable conditions.
“The wretched stench of dog feces surrounding the quarantined dogs as they barked at the presence of humans. Inches of feces covered the floors. Abandoned metal objects surrounded the dogs in the small sheds that provided little to no sunlight.”
Burke County Sheriff’s Maj. Banks Hinceman said it’s been years since he’d seen animals stuck in such deplorable conditions as the sheds at the produce stand.
Animal control officers found 17 dogs, 4 puppies and one dead dog, 4 dogs were found locked in the cab of a pickup truck parked in the sun. A total of 25-30 dogs were found.
They were numerous complaints from the public which led to the investigation. One officer had to don a full body suit to enter the appalling shed while others had to wear masks to cut down on the stench.
Hudson told officers that he just kept taking in stray sand it just got out of hand. Typical hoarder mentality, sadly.
The dogs will need to be evaluated by a vet to determine how they are and how soon they will be able to be adopted if they will be able to.
Hudson has been charged with 17 counts of misdemeanor animal cruelty and a felony charge is pending. Husdon was irate at the arrest and said he did the best he could.
While Carswell escorted Hudson from the magistrate’s office to the Burke County Jail, Hudson repeatedly hurled obscenities at reporters.
The N.C. Department of Health and Human Services would be contacted regarding the food stand’s proximity to the ramshackle housing for the dogs.
A part of me feels some pity for hoarders because most for the time they think they are doing what is best and they’re intentions are good. The problem is that the animals suffer and suffer horrendously! People are supposedly intelligent to one degree or another and anyone who cannot see the cruelty and pain they are inflicting, even from their so-called ‘good intentions’ needs some serious help, whether mental or otherwise.
I CAN UNDERSTAND THIS MAN HAD GOOD INTENTION, BUT HE SHOULD HAVE HAS SOME SENCE TO CALL SOMEONE FOR HELP WHEN IT GOT TO BE MUCH FOR HIM. HE SHOULD BE COUNSELED WHAT TO DO SO HE DON’T GET INTO THIS PREDICTUIMATE AGAIN.
And what will the kind-hearted city prosecutors do? No doubt
send the poor, hopeless dogs to a Killing Shelter where these
dogs will be murdered as thousands of dogs are on this very day across our country. The others are sold are given to torture in research labs. How sad our country cares nothing about the loyal, loving dog – and have no where to go but to a
man like this who obviously cared nothing about them either. Either way, or any way….dogs are suffering and are being used and killed – while our government looks the other way. We cannot turn away – If we do….who do they have to speak for them. Thanks for bringing this disturbing news to your readers – maybe WE will wake up and Do something.
This man needs extensive counseling and should be made responsible for the suffering he inflicted on these poor dogs. I can only hope that they are all rescued and taken to a safe have where they will find forever homes instead of being taken to the pound where they will be euthanized. These animals are only looking fo someone to love and to be cared for by an intelligent and loving person. I hope that the public will show their feelings by phone calls and letters which is the only way to get officials to take any positive action. Let’s hope these wonderful, innocent dogs get a chance!