Mutilation suspect out on bond

Wayne man might face more charges

GOLDSBORO -- A 28-year-old man accused of mutilating wildlife and domestic animals in Wayne County is free on $3,000 bail, jail officials said Wednesday.

Lawton McKenzie turned himself in to sheriff's deputies, who had first tried to arrest him Monday, Animal Control Director Justin Scally said.

In December, investigators rescued 26 dogs, sheep, goats and other animals from his home on Old Black Creek Road outside Fremont, including a goat too weak to lift its head.

But officials discovered many more animals, perhaps dozens, that had been dismembered, decapitated, left in a freezer or on a homemade grill. They also found bowls of blood, knives and a machete, Scally said, calling the find the most horrific he has seen.

More charges may be pending, Scally said, adding that the Humane Society of the United States had been consulted for help. "Obviously," Scally said, "we want to be sure he's prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law."

Some neighbors in Fremont said they saw or heard nothing like the carnage that animal control officers say they found. Other neighbors reported long-running problems with malnourished and abused animals, which investigators said included owls, turtles, snakes and a fox.

News of the case spread across the state and sparked outrage among animal lovers. Lavonne Senterfit of Butner, who said she has been a volunteer in animal cruelty cases, called the $3,000 bond far too low.

"I'm pretty upset about it," she said. "He's out and free to do it again. This is horrible because it involves wildlife and domestic animals."