ASPCA sues alleged Columbus County animal abuser to return dogs

COLUMBUS COUNTY, NC (WWAY) — The ASPCA has filed a lawsuit against an alleged animal abuser in Columbus County.  

 In June, 70-year-old Deborah Ross Dahl was arrested and charged with 93 counts of animal cruelty for allegedly breeding dogs in inhumane conditions and operating on them without a license.

Dahl also allegedly housed dozens of other animals, including goats, rabbits and cats. 

 A court affidavit from an ASPCA agent claims the animals were kept in cages in near 100-degree heat, surrounded by their own waste. They go on to say at least one dog was already dead inside their cage.  

 But despite what seemed like conclusive evidence, all charges against Dahl were dropped last month. 

 21 of those charges were re-filed by the district attorney’s office—but most of the dogs were returned to Dahl.  

When the dogs were returned last month, the ASPCA told WWAY it would pursue all avenues—including legal action—to remove the dogs from Dahl’s custody. 

Three days later, the organization filed suit against Dahl and the state to have the dogs returned.  

According to the lawsuit, the original charges were dropped because the sheriff’s office failed to preserve evidence during the investigation. 

The ASPCA alleges Dahl’s actions led to the pain, suffering, or death of almost 100 animals.  

Dahls countersuit denies the allegations, citing the court’s dismissal. 

As of the filing date, 29 dogs were still in the custody of the ASPCA, pending return to dahl. 

The organization wrote in its initial complaint the dogs can’t be returned due to medical conditions, or because of USDA laws restricting the transport of puppies.  

In her counter claim filed last week, Dahl says those restrictions don’t apply.  

The ASPCA sent WWAY a statement that reads:

“The ASPCA continues to explore all appropriate avenues to achieve an outcome that prioritizes the well-being of the dogs seized from the property of an alleged breeder in Hallsboro, N.C. in June. This includes our legal efforts to regain custody of the dogs that have been returned to the defendant following a court order, and to maintain custody of the dogs that currently remain in the ASPCA’s care. In August, the ASPCA filed a lawsuit seeking a court order for the relinquishment of all of the dogs into our custody. As described in the lawsuit, the ASPCA observed many of the dogs in unhealthy conditions, including exposure to extremely high temperature and showing signs of respiratory distress. Veterinary examinations on the dogs also revealed a wide range of serious medical conditions, many of which cause significant pain and impaired their ability to breathe, move, or function normally.”

Dahl’s next court appearance for the remaining 21 animal cruelty charges will be on October 1.