Multiple animal cruelty charges dropped against Columbus County woman

COLUMBUS COUNTY, NC (WWAY) — The Columbus County District Attorney’s Office has dropped a number of charges against a woman accused of animal cruelty.

Deborah Ross Dahl, 70, of Wallace was facing 93 counts of animal cruelty after being arrested in June for allegedly keeping a number of animals in harsh conditions at a house in Hallsboro.

The district attorney’s office says most of the charges have been dropped but she still faces 21 charges added last Monday.

A statement from DA Jon David says, “it is not uncommon that charges are dismissed or reduced in district court and later increased as they move through the system into superior court.”

He goes onto say that an unfortunate short term consequence of this, is the return of the animals to her.

The DA’s office is coordinating to ensure the best outcome under the circumstances.