Local business owner found guilty of attacking photojournalist

On July 28, 2022, Zachary Ryan Everhart assaulted a FOX8 photojournalist outside Pretty Paws Country Club on Cecil Street in Thomasville. The photojournalist was on the property covering a story about a dog boarding facility that the State of North Carolina cited for animal mistreatment.

On Wednesday, a jury found Everhart guilty of assault inflicting serious bodily injury, assault inflicting serious injury, and common law robbery. Everhart was sentenced to a minimum of 2.5 years to a maximum of 4.5 years in prison. FOX8 General Manager Jim Himes thanked the Davidson County District Attorney's Office and Sheriff's Department for their diligence and hard work in successfully addressing the egregious acts of violence against their photojournalist in a statement to the media.

The State of North Carolina has fined the dog boarding facility $1,400 for mistreatment. Everhart and Kali Jump are listed as owners on the state’s April 14, 2022 citation. The state agriculture department received complaints about the facility. When investigators checked out Pretty Paws, they reported finding 12 dogs housed in an outdoor facility without employee supervision. Only one water bowl for the dogs was overturned, leaving the animals with no water. They also found 19 dogs housed in another play area with one employee and one empty water bowl. Several other water receptacles were found to be damaged as well. The state previously cited the facility for similar violations.

The company plans to continue operating according to its new Facebook Page: "We are going to address this matter one time and one time only. Fox 8 tried to slander and tarnish our business two years ago and still continues to try to do so today. But we're here to tell you that our doors are open, and they are going to continue to stay open. If we had 'mistreated' our fur babies, why would we still be open?" said the owners.

Several loyal customers chimed in despite a change.org petition to close the facility with more than 500 signatures. The owners could not be reached for comment and wrote, "Why would North Carolina agriculture give us an updated license every year for the past five years if there was really a case of 'abuse'? We love our dogs. We put so much hard work and dedication into the love and safety of your pets, and our customers know that, and that's what matters."

Despite the conviction, the company insisted that this was the fault of the media. Anyone is welcome to come and tour our facility any day of the week because we take great pride in our facility. So, if you really choose to believe the media, by all means, go for it. We will not let the media dictate our business. We continued to prosper then, and we will continue to prosper now."

{Image Used: Pretty Paws Country Club Facebook Page}