Authorities: dismembered animals found in NC home

Associated Press
Published: January 6, 2009

    FREMONT, N.C. (AP) - Authorities in eastern North Carolina say a Wayne County man faces various animal cruelty charges after investigators found dismembered animals at his home.
    Officials on Tuesday charged 28-year-old Lawton McKenzie with three counts of cruelty to animals and have issued a warrant for his arrest. His whereabouts Tuesday afternoon were unknown.
    Wayne County Animal Adoption and Education Center director Justin Scally said the remains of several dozen animals were found on Dec. 3 at McKenzie’s home near Fremont. Scally said investigators found the remains of a decapitated dog also with its front paws cut off, dead snakes, a dead turtle, dead puppies and what appeared to be a goat’s head on a homemade grill apparently used to cook the animals.