More information has been released in the arrest of 20-year-old Benjamin Lee Minton of Carlton Mobile Home Park Drive in Lenoir. Minton was arrested yesterday (June 22) by Caldwell County Sheriff’s Officers. He was charged with two felony counts of cruelty to animals.

According a statement released this afternoon by the county’s public information office, on June 17, Caldwell County Animal Care Enforcement received several tips that a Lenoir man was beating his two dogs. According to the tipsters, the man was aggressively punching and kicking the dogs.

Animal Care Enforcement Officers identified the suspect as Benjamin Lee Minton. Minton owned one of the dogs involved; however, the second dog belonged to someone else. An investigation determined that Minton had allegedly punched and kicked both dogs on more than one occasion.

Minton’s dog is now in the care of Caldwell County Animal Care Enforcement. The other dog is safe with its owner.

Minton was taken to the Caldwell County Detention Center under a $35,000 secured bond. He was not listed as an inmate as of this morning. A first appearance in District Court was scheduled today in Lenoir.