OFFICIAL STATEMENT OF SCHS REGARDING MABE CASE:

In response to the recent decision by Ricky Bowman to drop animal cruelty charges against Willis and Lucille Mabe, we wanted to offer our feelings regarding the latest news surrounding this disturbing case.

As many of you can imagine we are concerned and extremely disappointed by the dismissal of the charges against the Mabes. Several of our volunteers were on hand that day to assist in the safe and expedient removal of the animals on the property, giving us direct insight to the living conditions of these animals. Therefore to hear this news was quite disturbing. We spoke with the county manager, Rick Morris, in an effort to try to understand how this decision came to be.

While we still do not have an understanding, of the nuts and bolts of the situation, we feel good about the fact that if the Mabe's violate these terms, they will be held accountable to the full extent of the law, which is why Mr. Bowman and Mr. Morris reserved the right to reopen the case and prosecute at any time they felt necessary. Based on the choices at hand, they made a remarkably wise decision in our opinion. Was it ideal? No, of course not. Will it be handled differently in the future? Absolutely.

At the end of the day, we have to focus on the 160 plus animals that are no longer forced to live in the conditions they had to endure. We have noticed a marked increase of calls from citizens where people are reporting others whom they suspect are running puppy mills, have too many dogs, or just feel that an animal is being abused or neglected. We feel this is a small victory in this tragic story. We will continue our work and will strive to ensure that a certain standard of care is provided for animals within our borders, especially in those cases where owners choose to breed animals for profit.

We take solace in knowing that most of the citizens of Stokes County love animals and do not want this type of activity in their community and are not going to turn a blind eye any longer.

In response to the overwhelming response by the community in reporting suspected neglect/abuse, the SCHS has developed an investigative team to respond to complaints to determine if they are founded or if education is warranted. Executive Director Mona Triplett has been asked to resume the role of the county’s Animal Cruelty Investigator to spearhead this effort. This will be the second time she has performed this service for the county.

The Stokes County Humane Society is an all volunteer non profit organization whose mission is to preserve the value of all life by striving to prevent animal cruelty and neglect through community education and to reduce pet overpopulation through a rigorous low cost spay and neuter campaign.