Kenly Police Dogs Poisoned, Four Dead

Kenly Police Sgt. Eddie Phillips believes the dogs were poisoned as he was getting married last Saturday.

Phillips breeds German Shepherds at his home for police work and as pets.

The department thinks the dogs may have been poisoned by one of the 42 drug suspects arrested last month.

"The word on the street is that there's a hit on me," Phillips said. "They're trying to get a piece out of me, and I feel like what they're trying to do is send a message to scare me, tell me to back off and tell me to leave town. I am not going to do it."

The idea that this incident could happen in Kenly population 1,700 has local residents upset.

"It breaks your heart that anybody for whatever reason would be so cruel," Kenly resident Darlene Johnson said.

Mayor Scott Turik says these poisonings prove how dangerous drug dealing can be, even to police officers and those dear to them.

"It's a bad business all around when you are dealing with drugs, and to have somebody come and hurt you in such a way is terrible," Turik said.

Police Chief Keith Chestnut said that this incident hurt Phillips because he took very good care of the dogs.

"This really hurt Eddie, financially as well," Chestnut said. "He paid for a lot of things for the dogs out of his own pocket."

Phillips said that the department is focusing on the 42 drug-related suspects, and when he or she is arrested they will face animal cruelty charges.

The dogs were worth $10,000, and friends are trying to raise enough money to cover the loss. If anyone wants to contribute and help raise money, call the Kenly Police Department at (919) 284-2116 between 9-5.