Fake county official went door to door, threatening to kill animals, NC cops say

An unusual case of impersonating a government official is under investigation in southeast North Carolina after a woman went door to door threatening to kill animals, deputies say.

The visits happened Monday, Oct. 13, in Columbus County, and a suspect has been identified, the Columbus County Sheriff’s Office said in a case update.

However, details of an arrest – or a motive – have not been released.

“The Columbus County Sheriff’s Office has received multiple calls today regarding a woman going door-to-door claiming to be from Animal Control and threatening to shoot animals,” the sheriff’s office said.

“We want to make it very clear that this individual does not work for Columbus County Sheriff’s Office or Columbus County Sheriff’s Animal Protective Services.”

A security camera image of the suspect and her vehicle was shared on social media by the sheriff’s office.

The suspect saw the social media post and contacted the sheriff’s office, but was not arrested, according to WECT, which said “the reporting parties were informed that they could seek warrants through the magistrate.”

The case has prompted outrage and threats on social media.

“Glad she didn’t show up here. Would have had to call an ambulance,” one commenter posted on Facebook.

“She come around here and she’d become the prey in the eyes of my blue heelers and I’ll just stand there and watch,” another wrote.

The county’s Animal Protective Services division is leading the investigation, officials said.

Columbus County is about a 120-mile drive south from Raleigh.

This story was originally published October 17, 2025 at 7:51 AM with the headline "Fake county official went door to door, threatening to kill animals, NC cops say."