Maiden man pleads guilty to abusing dogs

NEWTON, NC (AP) — A Maiden man accused of abusing beagles has
pleaded guilty to five counts of cruelty to animals in Catawba
County.

The Observer News Enterprise of Newton reports that 63-year-old
Billy Hewitt pleaded guilty Friday and will pay a $100 fine and
$1,000 restitution.

Hewitt pleaded guilty to charges of killing three dogs and
depriving others of food.

About 20 beagles were rescued from Hewitt’s property in March
and taken to the Catawba County Animal Shelter.

Animal shelter Director Jay Blatche says one dog was euthanized
and several others needed extensive veterinary treatment.

Hewitt says an extended illness left him unable to care for the
dogs, and an assistant he hired did not do an adequate job. Hewitt
says he does not plan to own dogs again.

(Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)