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WINDSOR – A local man has been charged with felony cruelty to animals after PETA fieldworkers discovered a dog with a heavy metal chain wrapped so tightly around his neck that it embedded deeply into his flesh.

Bertie County Sheriff confirmed that 59-year-old Lionel James Norfleet of Lewiston Woodville was arrested for this incident.

PETA officials say the dog was found on April 13. The animal was signed over to PETA and euthanized to stop its suffering.

PETA is renewing its call on the Bertie County Commissioners to take cruelty to animals as seriously as Sheriff Ruffin and his deputies did in this case.

“PETA has repeatedly brought the abysmal state of animal welfare in Bertie County to the Commissioners’ attention,” stated PETA Director Rachel Bellis. “With summer almost here, we urge the Board to pass an emergency ordinance banning chaining and implementing minimum standards of care.”

Every year, PETA’s fieldworkers visit thousands of neglected dogs—forgotten, ignored, often found without shade, drinkable water, or any other way to cool down (or stay warm and dry in winter). Dogs relegated to the outdoors are often deprived of veterinary care, exercise, companionship, or even a kind word and are kept confined to the same few square feet of space day in and day out. That’s why PETA urges everyone to keep dogs indoors and works with government officials to require adequate food, water, and veterinary care to prevent suffering. PETA has been lobbying Bertie County elected officials to strengthen the county ordinance and pass a ban on keeping dogs tethered outdoors, like those the Towns of Windsor and Aulander — among many other North Carolina localities — have already passed.