NORTH CAROLINA — A Grantsboro man is facing multiple felony animal cruelty charges following an investigation at a rental property in Beaufort County, according to the Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office.
Deputies said they responded to a residence in the Aurora/Richlands Township area on Dec. 22, 2025, after receiving a report of a foul odor coming from inside a rental home where a tenant had previously moved out. During the investigation, deputies located four deceased cats inside the residence. Officials said the animals were found in various stages of decomposition.
Detectives conducted additional interviews and follow-up investigation. As a result, authorities obtained arrest warrants charging 46-year-old Robert Stanley Smith III of Grantsboro with four counts of felony animal cruelty.
Smith was arrested on Dec. 31, 2025, in Pamlico County by the Pamlico County Sheriff’s Office. He was taken to the Pamlico County Detention Center, where he was placed under a $10,000 secured bond.
The Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office encourages anyone with information about suspected animal abuse or neglect to contact Beaufort County Animal Control at 252-946-4517. Anonymous tips may also be submitted through Beaufort County Crime Stoppers at 252-974-6400 or through the P3Tips app.
