Boiling Spring Lakes resident is accusing neighbor of animal abuse

A pit bull is at the center of a dispute between two Boiling Spring Lakes neighbors.

Anita Pinckney says her neighbor has a history of abusing dogs. “This is frustrating, this is painful for me. To see these animals being treated so bad, everyday I would cry,” said Pinckney.

Anita has lived in Boiling Spring Lakes for 3 years. She claims most of her time has been spent concerned about the dogs her next door neighbor, Jesse Price, has cared for. She said, “I will never forget some of the things I’ve seen. They’re horrific.” Images, she said, of several pit bulls starving without food and water.

Reports from BSL Animal Control show she’s complained to the department numerous times. The department told News Channel 3 that each time they were called out there were no signs of abuse.

Pinckney said there’s still one pit bull on the property. This time she is concerned the chain around its neck is too heavy, so she called Peter MacQueen, president of the Humane Society of Eastern North Carolina.

MacQueen said, “There’s no justification in using a chain to wrap around a dogs neck and using it as a collar.”

MacQueen also said they have been trying for the last two months to have the city force Price to replace the chain with a dog collar. News Channel 3 attempted to reach Price for comment but neither he, nor the dog in question, was home.

Cephus Hill owns the property. He said Pinckney’s complaints are not valid and the pit bull is not being abused. “I find that there’s no reason for concern,” he said. And neither does Brunswick County Animal Services or BSL Animal Control.

Animal Services said the chain can be used as a collar, and the city said there is no sign the chain is harming the dog. Boiling Spring Lakes City Manager, David Lewis, issued this statement: “Our animal control officer and his supervisor investigated this complaint and found the animal to be in excellent health with no issues of concern. The city considers the case to be closed.”

News Channel 3 searched the criminal background of Pinckney’s neighbor, Jesse Prince, and we did not find any record for animal abuse, only a $100 fine in 2006 for 2 of his dogs attacking a police officer.