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Hendersonville man charged with animal cruelty after 26 dogs found neglected

Hendersonville man charged with animal cruelty after 26 dogs found neglected

Timothy Hefner, 68, was booked into the Henderson County Detention Center on July 20, 2026. Photo: Contributed/Henderson County Sheriff's Office


HENDERSONVILLE, N.C. (828newsNOW) — Timothy Hefner, 68, was charged with 26 counts of misdemeanor animal cruelty after 26 dogs were found in inhumane conditions in the Dana neighborhood in Hendersonville.

According to the Henderson County Sheriff’s Office, animal enforcement officers discovered the dogs after a welfare check call.

Hefner was arrested on Monday, July 20, and is currently being held at the Henderson County Detention Center on a $65,000 bond.

The dogs, meanwhile, are being cared for, but are not presently up for adoption, HCSO said.

“Animal Enforcement investigates all allegations of animal cruelty thoroughly and seeks justice for mistreated animals when violations of law are found,” HCSO said. “Sheriff Griffin extends his appreciation to the Animal Enforcement team and members of the community for their vigilance in reporting concerns that help protect animals in Henderson County.”

No additional information is available at this time. HCSO encourages the community to report any instances of suspected animal cruelty to the sheriff’s office.

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