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GASTON – A fire near here Sunday afternoon that killed 13 dogs is being investigated as arson.

Patrick Jacobs, Captain of the Northampton County Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigations Division, said deputies responding to the scene of a reported structure fire learned that a dog kennel was burned. Jacobs said 13 Beagle dogs were found deceased within the kennel enclosure.

The Northampton Sheriff’s Office is actively investigating this case and has requested assistance from NC State Bureau of Investigation, Jacobs said.

“We’re asking for the public’s help with any known information of this crime to contact the Sheriff’s Office so that the individual(s) responsible for this crime can be held accountable. These innocent dogs did not deserve to be victims of this horrendous act,” Jacobs said.

Anyone with information is encouraged to contact the Northampton Co. Sheriff’s Office at 252-534-2611 or the lead case investigator Sgt. W. Killian.