By Shavonne Potts
spotts@salisburypost.com
SALISBURY — A judge has dismissed a civil lawsuit filed against local law enforcement officers by a couple acquitted of child abuse and animal cruelty charges in November 2011.
Angela and David Lore filed the lawsuit in March against Sheriff Kevin Auten and detectives Chad Moose and John Brindle. The complaint alleged intentional infliction of emotional distress, malicious prosecution and abuse of power.
The Lores represented themselves in the action, which was dismissed in Rowan County Superior Court on Thursday by Judge A. Moses Massey of Surry County.
David Lore declined to comment on the dismissal.
Charlotte attorney Kenneth Raynor represented all the law enforcement officers.
“Mr. and Mrs. Lore have made a lot of accusations which my clients dispute. The court obviously disagreed with the legal theories asserted by the Lores in the case which was dismissed,” Raynor said.
In March 2011, detectives began investigating complaints that the Lores’ children were living in unfit living conditions at their Rockwell home. At the time, investigators said the Lores’ pets were not fed and were dying inside the home.
A criminal court judge dismissed animal cruelty and child abuse charges against the couple in November.
The Lores filed a federal lawsuit in February against a number of county employees including Auten, Brindle, Rowan County Animal Control Director Clai Martin and former Rowan County Social Services Director Sandra Wilkes, saying those department heads and their employees violated the couple’s civil rights. That case is still pending.
The Lores are also representing themselves in that lawsuit.
In the county civil lawsuit, the Lores maintained Brindle excluded evidence that would’ve shown they left food and water for their dogs. The Lores also accused Brindle of misconduct that resulted in mental and emotional distress and damaged their reputation in a community where they own a pet store.
They claimed the damage escalated because Auten released information to multiple news outlets and that information was widely reported.
And they accused Moose of making defamatory statements in a March 2011 Post interview in which he described the Lores’ four children living in squalor.
The couple disputes claims their four children were placed with Rowan County Social Services. The lawsuit said the children were voluntarily placed with Angela Lore’s parents in December 2010.
The Lores sought damages in excess of $10,000 and court costs. Angela and David Lore also demanded a jury trial, which never occurred.
The Lores were found not guilty of the child abuse and animal cruelty charges, but they were each convicted of contributing to the delinquency of a minor and possession of drug paraphernalia. Each received probation.
Contact reporter Shavonne Potts at 704-797-4253.