ROCKWELL — A couple who own a pet store in Salisbury have been charged with child abuse and animal cruelty after authorities responding to complaints found unfit living conditions in their home and children who had never been to school, the Rowan County Sheriff’s Office said in a press release.
Authorities arrested David Lore Jr., 37, and Angela Lore, 35, both of 3435 Rockwell Road. Each is charged with four counts of child abuse, four counts of contributing to the delinquency of a minor and three counts of animal cruelty. Each has been jailed under $250,000 bond.
The Rowan County Department of Social Services has removed the Lores’ four children ages 7, 9, 14 and 16, from the home, the Sheriff’s Office press release said.
Social Services began investigating complaints of unfit living conditions at the home in early March. Detectives with the Sheriff’s Office Special Victim’s Unit became involved in the investigation, which involved complaints of pets not being fed and pets dying inside the home then there carcasses being left lying inside the home for long periods of time.
The complaint said there were large amounts of trash throughout the residence, the Sheriff’s Office said.
Detectives discovered the children spend most of the day alone at the house while the parents run a business, Pet Place, on South Main Street in Salisbury, the press release said.
“The children have also never been enrolled in public school, received very little medical attention and were forced to live in the unfit conditions present at this home,” the press release said.
Social Services removed the children from the home after detectives executed a search warrant. Rowan County Animal Control has removed three remaining 3 dogs.
The investigation continues and more charges are possible, the Sheriff’s Office said.
The Lores’ opened the shop on South Main Street after a massive fire destroyed most of the Webb Road Flea Market, where they had been doing business.