MORGANTON, NC — Dustin Timothy McCormack, a 37-year-old landlord from Morganton, North Carolina, faces serious charges after allegedly entering his tenants’ home unlawfully and shooting their pet. The Burke County Sheriff’s Office reported that McCormack was arrested last week and is charged with felony animal cruelty and breaking or entering.
The incident, which occurred while the tenants were on vacation on July 15, came to light when video footage provided by the victims showed McCormack kicking and shooting their cat. Additional evidence from McCormack’s live Facebook video and posts further implicated him, showing references to the incident and images of the victims’ home.
McCormack is also charged with misdemeanors, including injury to personal property and a second count of breaking or entering. He turned himself in following the issuance of arrest warrants. Currently held on a total secured bond of $20,000, McCormack made his initial court appearance on July 19 and is due back in court on August 9.
In addition to these charges, McCormack faces several other legal issues, with upcoming court dates for misdemeanor and traffic-related offenses across Burke and Iredell Counties.