Caldwell County, NC -- A North Carolina man has received unsupervised probation and a suspended sentence after pleading guilty to more than 100 charges of misdemeanor cruelty to animals.
54-year-old William Thomas Allen pleaded guilty Thursday to the charges that stem from a raid in June at Allen's home where more than 270 dogs were seized.
Allen had faced up to 38 years in prison if convicted on each of the 104 animal cruelty charges. His attorney reached a plea agreement with prosecutors.
Prosecutors did not seek the maximum punishment against Allen. "Because of his health issues, he did not need to go to jail," said Investigator Shannan Foster.
The Guilford County Animal Shelter rescued 68 of the dogs taken from Mason Creek Kennels in Hudson. Many of the rescued dogs had matted hair and were housed in buildings that smelled of urine and feces.
The health department said several dead animals were found during the seizure.
The Guilford Animal Shelter housed and rehabed the dogs in order to put them up for adoption in mid-July, where most found new homes.
The other puppies seized from Allen's kennel were given to various rescue groups to adopt out once the animals receive a clean bill of health.
As terms of the sentencing, Allen is not allowed to buy or sell animals during his three years of unsupervised probation.
He has said his dog breeding business became more than he could handle about three years ago when he was confined to a wheelchair.
"I just didn't have enough time," Allen said. "I did love em, I do love dogs...(this is the) first time I haven't had one at my place."
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