An arrest has been made in the case of Matthew Neal of Pink Hill and 11 dogs are now in protective custody.

At 12:30 a.m. today, a team of law enforcement officers, led by Lenoir County Sheriff Jackie Rogers and the Lenoir County Sheriff’s Office, descended on the residence of Neal, 32, and his business (East Carolina Retrievers) at 2967 Ash Davis Road in Pink Hill.

Neal was charged with nine counts of felony cruelty to animals in Lenoir County. He was also charged with two misdemeanor counts of cruelty to animals in Duplin County. He received a $45,000 secured bond in Lenoir County and a $2,000 secured bond in Duplin County.

“We confiscated the 11 dogs on the property,” Sheriff Rogers said. “They will be housed in a safe location this morning.”

The LCSO was assisted this morning by the Lenoir County Animal Control unit, the Craven County Sheriff’s Office’s Animal Control unit and Duplin County Animal Control.

“We are truly appreciative of the assistance we received from the other agencies,” Sheriff Rogers said. “We would also like to thank the citizens and the incredible residents who have come forward and made statements to make today’s arrest possible.”