CARY, N.C. — It was a Facebook post that went viral. A photo of a dog with its mouth duct taped shut.
Police now saying it happened in our area, in Cary where the owner of the dog is staying.
While the owner has been charged, that dog remains in her care.
If the photo wasn’t heartbreaking enough … The caption certainly grabs your attention.
A Facebook user named Katie Brown wrote: “This is what happens when you don’t shut up!”
Originally authorities believed Katie brown lived in south Daytona, Florida. But police now say her real name is Katharine Lemansky and they’ve tracked her to Cary.
“Just putting the tape around his mouth is just to me cruelty to animals,” said Doris Smith, a neighbor of the Churchview Street home where Lemansky was found — along with the dog.
And police agree. Lemansky has been charged with one count of cruelty to animals.
Police say that incident happened here at the Cary home, that Lemansky is staying here with a friend. But when WNCN stopped by on Tuesday afternoon a man came to the door and then quickly shut it in our face.
On Facebook, Lemansky wrote: “Don’t panic everyone it was only for a minute but hasn’t barked since… Point made!”
Cary police saying she apologized when animal control officers came to the home.
“The lady was very, very sorry that she did this. She realized she made a terrible mistake,” said Randall Rhyne of the Cary Police Department.
But perhaps more surprising to some people is that the chocolate lab mix — which became famous from the photos — remains with Lemansky.
Police say the dog was unharmed and was very well cared for.
WNCN asked police what they would say to those who believe the dog should not be in this Lemansky’s care.
“I think we followed the law and did exactly what we were supposed to do at this point,” Rhyne replied to the question.
But the animal rights organization, PETA doesn’t agree. They’ve seen a letter to the Wake County District Attorney asking her to intervene.
Lemansky now facing a fine and up to 150 days in jail.
