The Tyrrell County Sheriff’s Office and Tyrrell County Animal Control on Oct. 1 responded to a call about possible animal cruelty on River Neck Road, Columbia, Sheriff Darryl Liverman reported.

Upon checking the property officers found four penned dogs that appeared to be severely emaciated and dehydrated. The carcass of a fifth dog was decomposing in a barrel in the same pen. The five dogs were plott hounds.

Animal control seized the four dogs that were alive and transported them to a local veterinarian for emergency treatment.

As a result of the investigation Warren Davenport, 48, of Columbia was arrested on Oct. 2 for felony killing of an animal by starvation and on four counts of misdemeanor cruelty to animals.

Davenport was placed in Dare County Detention Center on a $10,000 secured bond. He was later released on bond. Davenport’s first appearance in District Court is scheduled for Oct. 24.