ROWAN COUNTY, N.C. -- There’s a new way to report animal cruelty through the North Carolina Attorney General’s Office. The animal welfare hotline just opened Tuesday, after the General Assembly created the idea last year.
One local family, whose dog Jake was paralyzed from a gunshot, is hopeful the new hotline could mean more reports of abuse. Karen Haussman helps her dog Jake eat, move and even go to the bathroom. In 2014, Jake, a hound mix, was paralyzed after he was shot in the neck while he was walking in his front yard. Eric Hillard is charged with animal cruelty.
"Nothing has been done as far as his freedom is concerned, Jake has lost all of his,” said Haussman.
According to Haussman, the case will be going to trial, but there isn’t a trial date yet. As the Haussmans wait for answers, they’re hopeful others who see animal cruelty happen will report it.
Through the hotline, people have the option of calling, emailing or submitting an online complaint.
"It's a wonderful idea because a lot of people don't know who to call,” said Haussman.
In less than two years, Rowan County investigators have prosecuted a case where a woman duct taped her dog’s mouth. They’ve also investigated a Landis woman who nearly starved her horses to death. One of the horses didn’t survive.
"We do see a lot of abandonment, cruelty cases, that need justice,” said Dr. Greg Hedrick.
Lexington Veterinarian Dr. Greg Hedrick said he sees cases all the time through “Ginger’s Fund” in Davidson County.
"You get to the root of the problem and maybe transfer it down to different counties,” said Dr. Hedrick.
The Attorney General’s Office will review complaints and then refer them to the proper authorities.
"Sometimes the local law enforcement, they get so busy and tied up they don't have time to handle a lot of these cases,” said Dr. Hedrick.