SCOOP: Cops arrest man for six counts of felony animal cruelty
Read the exclusive incident report I obtained detailing the disturbing discovery
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Update: Michael Alan Swink was arrested on January 24. According to the North Carolina Judicial Branch website he is expected in court on February 12. Read the court documents I exclusively obtained from a public records request.
Swink received a $15,000 secured bond, set by a judicial official. In a social media post, the Rutherford County Sheriff's Office said they “would like to thank each person who reached out and assisted with locating Swink.”
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Rutherford County, N.C. — Authorities are searching for Michael Alan Swink, who faces six felony charges of animal cruelty after multiple malnourished and deceased dogs were discovered at a residence in Bostic earlier this month.
On January 12, deputies from the Rutherford County Sheriff’s Office, working alongside the Criminal Investigations Division, executed a search warrant at the property following reports of abandoned animals. Rutherford County Animal Control seized several dogs, many of them severely underweight and suffering from parasitic infections. Tragically, two dogs were found deceased.
Investigators identified Swink as the owner of the animals and reported that he had not been seen in over a week. Warrants for his arrest remain active, and the Sheriff’s Office is urging anyone with information about his whereabouts to contact them at (828) 286-2911. Anonymous tips can also be submitted through Rutherford County Crimestoppers at (828) 286-TIPS or via the RCSO app.
Jason Masters, Rutherford County's Interim Public Health Director, addressed the incident and the challenges facing local animal control services, which operate as a division of the county health department, the Foothills Health District. Animal control is not part of the Sheriff’s Office.
"While the situation surrounding animal neglect and cruelty in Rutherford County is heartbreaking and unacceptable, both of our animal services officers are completing as many complaint responses as possible given their scope of jurisdiction. We are operating with a nearly full shelter of law enforcement-related animals that we cannot adopt out, foster, or euthanize, limiting our ability to house other animals. We work closely with the sheriff’s office and other local agencies as necessary, and our goal is to assist local law enforcement in holding those responsible to the highest degree of accountability,” Masters said.
On January 13 I filed a public records request for a 911 report of all mentions of dogs and the vicinity of the address where they were found. The Rutherford County legal department released it to me on January 23, which provides further details about the case, highlighting the exact timeline of animal control response and the length of time before sheriff’s deputies were notified on Jan. 12. Investigator Ryan Bailey was first told by animal control, according to the report. More than five deputies arrived on the scene shortly after being notified.
The full report may be accessed here: Incident Report.
The Sheriff’s Office initially alerted the public on January 12 via social media and issued an update today reaffirming the ongoing search for Swink. Their posts can be viewed here: January 12 alert and January 24 Update.
This case underscores the severity of animal cruelty in the county and the limitations faced by local animal services. Officials continue working to ensure justice for the mistreated animals and to hold those responsible accountable.
Opinion & Analysis
Cops & Congress Commentary:
Four ways to combat animal cruelty in your community
This animal cruelty case is a stark reminder of the need for stronger resources and accountability in animal welfare. The suspect remains at large, but this heartbreaking situation highlights systemic gaps and opportunities for community action.
Here are four ways you can help address and prevent animal cruelty in my view:
1. Know the signs and report abuse. Take photos, video and record everything.
Animals depend on us to be their voice. Be vigilant for signs of neglect or abuse, such as extreme thinness, untreated injuries, poor living conditions, or prolonged confinement. If you suspect abuse, report it immediately to animal control or law enforcement. In Rutherford County, animal control operates under the Foothills Health District, not the Sheriff’s Office.
However, it’s worth noting that the county’s animal control website only lists four employees. In my view, that’s not enough to adequately address the volume of animal welfare concerns in our community. I believe animal control would be more effective under the direct oversight of the Sheriff’s Office, where law enforcement resources could better support investigations and enforcement. Officials need evidence to charge people with crimes. Record everything.
2. Attend public meetings
One of the most impactful ways to advocate for animals is by attending public meetings. County boards and health district meetings provide opportunities to raise concerns, ask questions, and demand better policies and funding for animal control. Public participation holds officials accountable and ensures these issues remain a priority.
3. Support local resources
With just four employees, it’s clear that animal control in Rutherford County is under-resourced. They get hundreds of thousands of dollars in taxpayer funds, according to the county budget. Additionally, the shelter is operating at capacity, housing law enforcement-related animals that cannot be adopted, fostered, or euthanized. You can help by donating supplies or your time to local shelters and rescue organizations. Advocacy for increased staffing and funding for animal control is also crucial for long-term solutions.
4. Advocate for stronger policies and transparency
Transparency and strong laws are essential to preventing animal cruelty. Public access to reports, as seen in this case, allows communities to stay informed and push for change. Advocate for stricter penalties for animal abusers, mandatory reporting by veterinarians, and better shelter protocols. In addition, moving animal control under the jurisdiction of the Sheriff’s Office could streamline communication and enforcement, ensuring these cases are handled with the urgency they deserve.
Final thoughts
Animal cruelty isn’t just a tragic issue for the animals involved—it’s a warning sign of deeper problems in our communities. By reporting abuse, attending public meetings, supporting animal control, and advocating for better policies, we can all play a role in creating a safer and more compassionate community for animals.
The current system in Rutherford County is stretched too thin. It’s time for a re-evaluation of how animal welfare is handled. Placing animal control under the Sheriff’s Office would provide the resources and accountability needed to protect vulnerable animals and prevent future tragedies.
This article has been updated.
🏛️ All those mentioned are presumed innocent until proven guilty.
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Thank you, Annie for reporting this. The vulnerable, underrepresented population, this includes animals, suffer extreme abuse from Rutherford County. City & county officials are guilty of this abuse. They have allowed it to get this bad. They neglect animals. They criminalize the mentally ill, the homeless, the drug addicted. They offer nothing to address these critical issues. Where is the empathy? Where is the compassion? What will it take to get these officials & politicians, with black souls, off their self-centered, greedy behinds and to do the right thing? You call yourselves Christians? Is this what Christianity is really about? If this is what Christianity is, I’ll pass. You representatives forget who you work for. You work for us, the people. We can vote you out & fire your sorry butts. We pays taxes to have county entities function properly. Maybe we should chained you up on a porch and let you freeze to death. See how that sits. The public demands you do the right thing for this county. Expand the county animal shelter. Use non-violent criminals to care for these animals. Ever see the program Pitbulls & Paroles? That program seems to work. I strongly suggest you consider this concept. Remind yourselves who you work for.