High Point woman faces 40 animal cruelty charges after pets removed

High Point police removed several dogs and turtles from a home and charged 64-year-old Chanida A. Oroain with more than 40 counts of animal cruelty and abandonment of animals. The case moved from complaints to criminal charges after officers intervened at the property, adding another large animal-welfare enforcement matter to Guilford County’s docket.

The situation did not appear overnight. Police said there had been dozens of calls for service tied to Oroain’s High Point home this year, a sign that neighbors or others had already been flagging concerns before officers took the animals. The charges included 28 counts of cruelty to animals, 17 counts of abandonment of animals and four counts of failure to have dog rabies vaccinated.

The animals were removed from the home on Tuesday, according to the city’s release. One account of the case said investigators found more than 80 dogs on the property and dog remains, details that point to a prolonged and severe breakdown in care rather than a one-time incident.

High Point’s animal-control structure gives the city a direct role in cases like this. The High Point Police Department says it has three animal control officers who handle animal-control-related calls and enforce animal-related ordinances and laws. In practice, that means local police, animal control and county services have to work together when a case involves multiple animals, evidence collection and emergency placement.

For Guilford County residents, the county’s animal services office is the main place to report suspected cruelty or neglect. Guilford County Animal Services lists 301 W. Market St. in Greensboro for animal cruelty or neglect reports and can be reached at 336-641-3400 for adoption, surrender, reclaim and other services. When a seizure involves several dogs or other animals, those animals must be housed, evaluated and cared for while investigators and prosecutors build the case.

High Point has seen other large-scale removals as well. In a separate case, police later said around 100 animals were rescued from a High Point home and three people were arrested, underscoring how quickly these cases can strain local shelters, rescue groups and veterinary resources while they sort out the animals’ next steps.