FRANKLIN—A Southampton County Sheriff’s deputy has been terminated, Major Gene Drewery said Monday.

Drewery would not give a reason for Deputy Tyrece Scott’s termination, or say if it’s related to misdemeanor charges filed against Scott for alleged animal cruelty. He began working for the office on Dec. 1, 2008.

Franklin police on April 17 responded to Scott’s Laurel Street home on a complaint for a foul odor and found six American bulldog puppies in an 85-degree shed without food or water. The dogs were walking around in their own feces.

Officials seized the dogs and took them to the animal shelter in Franklin, where they all died from Parvo. The virus spreads from dog to dog by direct or indirect contact with their feces.

So far, no other dogs at the shelter have gotten the virus, Animal Control Officer Roy Richards said Monday.

“Luckily with the cleaning and bleaching, we haven’t had the illness,” Richard said.

Within three to five days of contracting the virus, dogs become lethargic and have blood in their stool, he said.

Two of the seized American bulldogs, which were 9 to 12 weeks old, died within the first few days at the shelter, Richards said. The rest died over the died over the weekend of April 21 and 22.

Parvo can be treated.

“It is very expensive and there’s not a very good turnover rate,” he said.

Scott, 25, faces six counts of cruelty to animals. His Monday arraignment was rescheduled to Monday, June 18, according to a spokeswoman with the Franklin General District Court.

“He has an attorney who requested (it be continued), the spokeswoman said.

June 18, will be Scott’s preliminary hearing. A preliminary hearing is held to determine if there is enough evidence for the case to continue in Southampton County District Court.