CLAREMONT, N.C. – Sheriff's deputies in North Carolina have confiscated hundreds of animals from the same property where they had pulled up 2,000 opium poppy plants a day earlier.
The Charlotte Observer reported that Catawba County deputies confiscated 358 chickens, dogs and cats on Wednesday after they were removed by the county's animal services. County officials said in a statement that they are investigating whether the chickens were used for cockfighting. The animals are being examined, tested for communicable diseases and evaluated for being placed in new homes.
In addition to the live animals, officials found 40 dead animals in cages and pens.
The sheriff's office said Cody Xiong was arrested and charged with manufacture and trafficking by possession in connection with the poppy plants. It's unclear if he has a lawyer.
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Information from: The Charlotte Observer, http://www.charlotteobserver.com
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