The Wake County Sheriff's Office charged 73-years old AGNES BAILEY GOLDSTON and her husband, 71-years-old JAMES DAVID GOLDSTON III (both pictured), each with three felony counts of cruelty to animals, and one count of communicating threats after three Labrador retrievers were poisoned with two of them dying.
The GOLDSTONS live in the Black Horse Run subdivision in north Raleigh, off Creedmoor Road.
According to a press release by the sheriff’s office and obtained by Voice For Us, on May 8, 2023, the agency received a report of animal cruelty and threatening letters received by residents on Derby Lane in Raleigh.
WRAL identified the residents as Phillip and Jessica Ridley, neighbors of the GOLDSTONS.
The Ridleys told the sheriff’s office that shortly after receiving the letters, two of their dogs, Big Brown and LP, became sick and died.
3-year-old Big Brown died in July 2022 of acute kidney infection caused by possible anti-freeze poisoning; LP lost her life on May 7, 2023.
The Ridleys further reported that their other dog, a 4-year-old named Scruffy, also became sick and was taken to the vet on May 8, 2023, where it was revealed that he had also been poisoned. After LP and Scruffy showed the same symptoms as Big Brown, the Ridleys called law enforcement.
Scruffy is alive and on the mend.
As stated in the press release, “All three dogs were examined by veterinarians at three different hospitals.”
From an investigation it emerged that the Ridleys experienced previous issues with the GOLDSTONS and that “Other neighbors reported getting similar anonymous, threatening letters.”
Ms. Ridley told WRAL: “For the past year over a year, they sent us threatening letters in the mail about our animals and our house.”
As reported by WRAL, according to the warrants, JAMES DAVID GOLDSTON III “sent threatening letters to the Ridleys, including one that said, ‘Your daughter is next. B careful’.”
One of those letters shared with WRAL read, “If one or both of these dogs put their paws on my property I am going to blow their brains out.”
Mr. and Mrs. Ridley say that the GOLDSTONS were known to poison squirrels with antifreeze, and that their dogs might have eaten the squirrels and gotten sick.
The GOLDSTONS were arrested on May 11, 2023, and processed at the Wake County Detention Center. Public court records show they were released after posting a $30,000 secure bond.
WRAL reports that JAMES DAVID GOLDSTON III was a donor and board member of the dog rescue Saving Grace. Part of the nonprofit’s Facebook post published this past Saturday on their page read: “Saving Grace is aware of recent news stories regarding accusations of dogs poisoned in Raleigh. We condemn all forms of animal cruelty. Saving Grace will continue to monitor this situation as the investigation continues, additional evidence is brought forward, and the case moves through the criminal justice process. Although he did not have any direct interaction with the dogs at Saving Grace, James Goldston has voluntarily resigned, effective immediately, to avoid any distraction from the important work of the organization.”
Public court records show that the GOLDSTONS’ next court date is June 1, 2023.
Voice For Us Disclaimer: This story is sourced from official news outlets. Links included.
Details may be removed or additional information may be provided in future should such sources report an update.
The murderers’ mugshots were shared from Raleigh/Wake City-County Bureau of Identification (CCBI).
Pictures of Big Brown and LP were shared from WTVD.
