By Jackie Seabolt
Enterprise Record

 Covered with feces, the dogs were near death. Some couldn’t even hold their heads up.
Now, a Mocksville family has been charged with 49 counts of animal cruelty and investigators and volunteers are working to save the animals and find them new homes.
Christopher Michael Smith, 38; Michelle Marie Smith, 40; Ronald Eugene Smith, 44; and Sandra Peters Smith, 68 all of Mountview Drive, were arrested Jan. 18.
Christopher was charged with 9 counts felony cruelty to animals, and one count instigating cruelty to animals. He was jailed under a $2500 secured bond. Michelle was charged with 9 felony counts cruelty to animals, and Ronald and Sandra were each charged with 10 counts cruelty to animals. They all were released on unsecured bonds.
According to Davie County Animal Control Officer C.W. Hemmings, on Jan. 16 an anonymous call was received  reporting close to 20 dogs being kept inside the Smith’s home.
Hemmings said that the caller reported the “dogs hadn’t seen the light of day” and that on occasion a dog would die and be left inside the home for days.
The day of the call Hemmings and AC Officer Bob Dewitt responded to the Mountview home around 2 p.m. Hemmings said that Christopher answered the door, stepped out of the home and closed the front door behind him.
Hemmings said that Christopher was informed of the complaint and asked how many animals were inside the Smith’s home …