‘Cruel’: Landlord charged, accused of killing tenant’s cat | WSOC-TV

[@grt1769]

Who tf shoots a gun in order to scare a cat away? this dudes screwed up in the head.

[@HummaKavula-DontVoteForStupid]

Yeah, after hearing that guy speak, I can safely say that he’s a couple of chicken McNuggets short of a happy meal

[@wolfwing1]

definetly cat aside, though he should be jailed for that, anything could have gone wrong, the bullet could have richotted hit someone else or caused real problem.

[@darthmax-fk8qe]

​@@HummaKavula-DontVoteForStupidhaving irresponsible tenants let a cat piss and poop in his property is definitely an evictable offense. Could he have handled it better sure but it seems like the tenants didn't read the lease contract as it's pretty standard to include a pet clause.

[@EpicFace-wm2zw]

​@@darthmax-fk8qebro that still doesn't give the right to shoot the cat stfu

[@EpicFace-wm2zw]

and if you didn't looked at the cam footage of his "search" he had his gun ready before going inside that shit is a huge red flag

[@gingerfeliciano9531]

Sue the landlord for everything he has.

[@notimpossible4294]

YES YES YES! I cannot even come close to expressing my anger, disgust and hatred for that landlord. No way do I believe that peed in his house, nor do I believe it was not his intention to kill the cat. Even the surveillance picture looked to me he meant to kill the animal. Animal abuse charges are not sufficient for what he did. She should definitely sue the landlord and she should receive a large settlement for the loss of companionship. Maybe some lawyer will see this and take on her case pro bono.

[@JunaidWolf3]

So true especially when the cat didn’t do anything but try to escape poor thing must have been terrified

[@Fat12219]

Big lawsuit 😮

[@willieverusethis]

He needs to go to jail. There's something seriously wrong with that man.

[@GeorgeWashingtonLaserMusket]

Animal Cruelty is a crime, as is theft.

[@MedievalTrap]

Are you slow he is

[@MedievalTrap]

@@shelbyonehalf he already is in jail they littlerly said it

[@MedievalTrap]

@@shelbyonehalf foo you trippin you said ??? And i made it make more sense to you god your slow

[@scottmiller8617]

​@MedievalTrap actually, he has been charged but he's not in jail. Are you slow?

[@shadow92992]

What an effing monster! He needs to go to jail for what he did to that poor cat.

[@sergiorobles7169]

Its just a cat, but I agree he needs to be held accountable in some way.

[@annavizard970]

How creepy af is it is that he was breaking onto their home while they were away!

[@selcouth86]

It happens a lot.

[@darthmax-fk8qe]

It's his home. theyre renters. Are you dumb or just not a home owner?

[@Marvolo14]

A landlord is allowed to enter the property at will. And since they have a key and own the property it's not considered breaking and entering.

[@selcouth86]

Claiming only to try to scare the cat off, yet pointed gun directly at it. People don't even do that to scare off larger animals that are a threat.

[@KB-kp2oz]

Your second sentence is a complete lie. I don't even know why you would even say that. I have 100% used a gun to scare off a bear in a wilderness area. I did that and I didn't kill it. So yeah you're completely wrong on that made up fact. I literally only gave you one example and it's concrete. Don't reply saying something about oh I'm a cat killer or some s***. Some some other moot point I'm sure

[@mildbillhiccup844]

Even if he was just trying to scare it, it is illegal to discharge of firearm in a reckless manner, especially if this was inside of city limits,

[@Fat12219]

😮

[@dungeonmaster16]

It also shows disregard of gun safety use. Pointing gun near a living being regardless of human or animal, plus how he holds the firearm tells you lack of use/knowledge for it.

[@ec6443]

You have no right as a landlord to enter the home without proper notice. He should be arrested and ban from owning firearms till he completes safety courses. What a total moron.

[@amonraphoenix]

Should be banned own rental property; if thats even possible.

[@tylermallory2504]

actually you do if you notice imminent property damage is happening and it's worded that way in the lease. we once had a tennant try to sue after making entry when we noticed water flooding out of the ceiling in the un rented space. access to shut off the water and address the leak was in the renters residence. long story short she lost in court, was ordered to pay the rest of her lease as this wasn't grounds for early termination of the lease... turns out she dumped a 5 gallon bucket of water to mop the tile thinking it would be a good plan... I would have worked with her but because she was such a plan and went right to legal action I got her for the security deposit and an additional 1000 dollars for deliberate water damage!

[@markschneider8815]

​​@@tylermallory2504 The landlord couldn't see the alleged damage from the outside. He had to enter the property without prior notice to the couple to see any alleged damage by the cat. In short, the landlord violated the lease and the law. Was there a no pets clause in the lease at the time the couple signed it? If not the couple was within their rights to bring a pet into the residence. You can't add extra clauses after the fact. They aren't valid. No cat pisses 5 gallons in a couple of days. Not even in a couple of weeks! In short your situation is not a valid comparison to what a cat might do. I've had three cats, and even after being gone for a week there was no damage to my home by any of my cats. I can only speak for the laws in my state, but here the landlord wouldn't have a legal legal to stand on. But discharging a firearm would get him locked up, with fines out the bazoo!

[@jamiechrist8394]

​@@tylermallory2504that's different than saying a is doing damage

[@MinervaRoman88]

You need to give 72 hours notice before entering

[@ocoss1983]

He’s a model citizen, he currently has the following charges pending in court on top of this horrendous crime DV protective order violation 2 counts Cyberstalking Assault on a female Expired registration/card tag Reckless driving to endanger Speeding Resisting public officer Maybe it’s just time for him to go away!!

[@thetrainwreck1469]

What’s the name of his construction company?

[@lee3171]

@@thetrainwreck1469 his name is Dustin McCormack, look it up

[@underarmbowlingincidentof1981]

is he trying to set a record or what? jesus...

[@ocoss1983]

@@thetrainwreck1469 McCormack construction LLC 828 391 3717

[@ocoss1983]

@@thetrainwreck1469 www.linkedin.com/in/dustin-mccormack-13399227a

[@Darci3333]

What an absolutely horrible despicable person.....he needs to be charged with the maximum of everything.....he is completely despicable 😢

[@SARSIPIOUS606]

He waited until they were gone to do it. Check all his pasts texts with friends. I’m sure he’s stupid enough to brag about it. Total improper use of a firearm regardless of illegal animals.

[@leighhoppins9273]

Well i think landlords shouldn’t be that greedy

[@LuluBeLulu]

regardless if they were allowed to have a cat or not, you can't just kick and shoot and kill a cat. The cat is not his property. Also, rental checks require 24 hr notice for most places? If they're just renting a room, who is in the rest of the house? They still should have access to bathrooms/kitchen etc?

[@WadeMcLure]

Renting a room gives them the same rights as renting the house (at least in my state it does)

[@Kim-yp9yl]

It’s actually illegal not to allow your tenant to have a pet!!! Some people say ‘no pets’ That’s wrong!! 🤡🤡🤡☠️💩💩💩

[@pearlsswine]

Lol "duh kaT Iz NUt HiZ pRuPURtEe!!!!11". Honey, that cat wasn't his property but the house was. Where is your outrage for the trailer park couple acting as though the house is their property to do as they wish? Of course you don't see the contradiction because you're just as trailer park-y.

[@j.b.l.0-f3z]

​@@Kim-yp9ylit's actually not. A lot of places renting out will have a no pets clause, and it's their right to not want to have pets on their property because they can be destructive. If the landlord was up front about this and it's in the contract then they shouldn't have snuck a cat in, but the landlord is in the wrong for entering the home without giving the tenants a 24 hour advance notice and shooting their cat. He messed up big time and deserves jail time for not only breaking laws that protect tenants but for killing their cat. (I needed to add that incase people try to twist my words and assume I'm defending the landlord.)

[@Kim-yp9yl]

That’s when the landlord can start charging the renter way more for damages (if there are any) Most ‘pet friendly’ places are priced thousands of dollars more than a no pet house… Fvck!n’ RIDICULOUS!!! 🤡🤡🤡☠️🖕🏽🖕🏽🖕🏽

[@kiryuandgodzillagirl]

Who would murder an innocent cat? That monster

[@Fat12219]

Lawsuit

[@macnchessplz]

People with anti social personality disorder (sociopathy).

[@kiryuandgodzillagirl]

@@Fat12219 it’s murder cold cruel evil and vicious

[@kiryuandgodzillagirl]

@@macnchessplz it’s pure evil

[@tashabobasha2382]

The level of sociopathy involved in doing an interview to explain that you did nothing wrong? Bro, these tenants need to move ASAP. He’s dangerous to cats AND humans.

[@emathecat]

There was something off with him. You could just sense it.

[@hresciniti3870]

Imagine the kind of psycho you have to be to try and scary a CAT with a gun???? He’s not safe to be in public.

[@katelyncollins9330]

If theres a lease that states no pets, hes still not allowed to take tennants pets and toss them outside, let alone shoot them. Its so sad what that cat had to endure just living its life then a monster takes it away. How do you even live with yourself? How are you JUSTIFYING that. "They arent allowed to have a pet" pretty sure you're supposed to have them get rid of it or evict them. But okay well see how that pans out for ya bud. $$$$

[@Fujoshi1412]

Yes but it doesn’t sound like there was anything in their lease that says no pets. So they likely got the cat because of that. The guy should have checked his own lease agreement before saying they can’t have a pet and trying to remove it himself which is still illegal given no notice.

[@pearlsswine]

A woman's hands typed this.

[@TurncoatCharles]

​@pearlsswine lol so youre saying you can go into a tenants house without a notice and kill a cat cause the lease says no pets? Youre really smart dude

[@raymondsmith3248]

The fact that he uses the defence that they shouldn't have had a cat =guilty

[@lathafalls7675]

So what if they shouldn’t have the cat doesn’t mean he should have killed the kitty and he told them that they could have the cat

[@tammyrawdon3587]

Illegal acts (animal abuse/ murder), even done accidentally, while during the commission of a crime (B&E, dangerous discharge of a firearm) are enforceable... jail time sounds applicable here.

[@angstbringer2992]

The way he shows the pictures as if that justifies him shooting a cat. Like imagine being that kind of person.

[@komradekush3411]

"I go to my house for random checks all the time. I break the law constantly by showing up to harass my renters without proper legal notice. I am a total piece of shit and proud to announce it on the news for all to hear."

[@Fujoshi1412]

It also sounds like the guy doesn’t bother to notice if his lease agreements say no pets or yes pets. Because they likely got a pet seeing it wasn’t mentioned.

[@professional.commentator]

Yea he sounds like a nightmare of a landlord to have.

[@HummaKavula-DontVoteForStupid]

His alibi sounds like something a goon says on those tv cop shows to try to get away with murder. Ridiculous

[@ambrabridges2161]

"I was trying to scare the cat away by firing my gun directly at him." If they weren't supposed to have a cat, he should've given them written notice to remove the animal within a certain timeframe or he would start eviction proceedings. As far as his "rental checks," I don't know about the laws in this state, but I've lived in Virginia and Florida and in both states, landlords must give 24 hours notice before entering a property unless there's an emergency that requires immediate attention. They can't just walk in whenever they want. This guy sounds like he's on a power trip and uses his position as a landlord to bully his tenants.

[@lathafalls7675]

He told them they could have the cat

[@pearlsswine]

The "cat mom" is quick to talk about what the landlord should have done reactively but she is completely quiet and dismissive of what the trailer park couple could have done proactively - like not bring an animal into a house that you don't own.

[@Bunny11344]

Poor cat he looked so sweet 😢

[@timberwolfdtproductions3890]

Judging by the landlords actions and statements, he comes across like a seriously fucked up creep.

[@cubiix1302]

He probably gonna steal their stuff or put hidden cameras or something creepy eww

[@dalefutrelle1441]

I can't think of one defense that the landlord can use to justify his actions. Good luck in jail.

[@C25-150]

@BizznessBoxlast time I looked , North Carolina was a blue state

[@Lot_2023]

​@BizznessBox Red states huh? Donald Trump made aninal abuse a felony. Look it up.....Sh*tforbrains.

[@catwoman2596]

What's the name of his company????????

[@matthewedwards3094]

What company? He owns rental properties

[@lee3171]

I am sure you can look it up using his name, which is clearly written out during the video, Dustin McCormack

[@WadeMcLure]

@@matthewedwards3094 The video said he owns a construction company too...

[@ericbattista9341]

@@matthewedwards3094listen you fool lmao

[@candace8412]

He said he goes to his house for random checks all the time. So...he was going in there unbeknownst to the kitty's owners? That is just bizarre to me that somebody would think that they can just come and go as they please.

[@Esther-lm6pm]

Internet do your thing. He owns a business and several homes..

[@pearlsswine]

Lol that is so cute. The rental market is completely on the side of landlords. There is literally more demand than supply. I can tell your entire life is Twitter and TikTok.

[@Esther-lm6pm]

@@pearlsswine Never been. I was a landlord as well. This is wrong on so many levels

[@kitsiewr]

​@@pearlsswine Yeah, you might be surprised....though he deserves to be behind bars anyway. What a creep!

[@Dreamsyouvageulyrember]

@@pearlsswineit’s so we go pee on his lawn Might get shot tho be careful 😂

[@retiredtidepodeater3339]

​@@Esther-lm6pmNo it's not. Your property, your rules. Dog and cat lovers often disrespect and disregard ppls property. They used the excuse of "but but but he didn't tell us that we couldn't have any!" as if the onus wasn't on them them to ask BEFORE bringing vermin into another person's house. Don't I want to worry about asking for permission? Go buy your own house. Give this landlord a medal.

[@annavizard970]

Monster!

[@dianeyoung8068]

There is no excuse for animal abuse.

[@audraarndt1824]

Sick. So sick. Im so sorry to the tenant. ❤❤❤❤

[@jeanharper7529]

He has no right to show up to the place under law and just walk in. He has to give them notice in advance of up to 24-48 hours. That way they could have made arrangements to let him know about the cat. The renters should sue him. He should be charged and arrested for animal cruelty and killing their cat. You do not just discharge your firearm at an animal that is not putting you in a life threatening situation. He is lying. Obviously, he could have talked to them instead of taking it upon himself to kill their pet.

[@user-gn5uy6lx7z]

Totally unacceptable. Just because he owns the house doesn’t give him the right to enter that house without a prior 24 hour notice to the residence. That’s breaking and entering and he also took things from that house without prior notice and without someone being present at that time. Then to top it off he killed the cat? He needs to be held accountable for his actions

[@pearlsswine]

Lol you talk about rights while ignoring his. This is why poor people should never be trusted. "Who cares what his rights are regarding his property. All that matters are MY rights. I can violate his all day but he better not even think about violating mine".

[@RophavioZeman-gr2vx]

That's a douche, there's not even any carpet in that place to really worry about a cat. If I was a landlord animals would be allowed and free, how many you could have would depend on what animal and how big they get.

[@LIVEMETRIX187]

you’re too reasonable to become a landlord

[@russellmyers934]

Felony charges, prison time, and never allowed to own a firearm again for the rest of his life.

[@NotoriousCRG27]

Can someone list his construction company's name so people can know better than use this guy for work? They rented from him and he's acting like they just took a room in one of his homes. You own properties and your own company and a cat upsets you enough to shoot & kill it? This guy has made it clear that he is the problem

[@Central_Media3656]

absolutely disgusting.

[@thetrainwreck1469]

What’s the name of his construction company? Maybe boycotting him and abject poverty will scare the landlord.

[@mintgreen292]

"In addition to the charges in connection to the cat incident, McCormack also has multiple cases pending in Burke and Iredell Counties, including two counts of violating a domestic violence protective order, cyberstalking, assault on a female, speeding, and resisting a public officer, reckless driving to endanger, and having an expired registration card or tag."

[@annavizard970]

Creeper.

[@beckinfidelis3916]

Horrible! "I HAD to get the cat out of the house and it wouldn't run..." What? Because it was a sweet, friendly cat who trusted people! 😭😭

[@mindyourownbusinessplease1120]

Charges and jail time. What a f*cking assh-le.

[@TheSuperPsychoKiller]

Landlords are out of control.

[@JoycelynMayo]

He needs to be put in jail for a long time!!

[@joustingking]

This made international news. He has other serious charges pending unrelated to this. His social media posts manage to make him look even worse.

[@charlenehayashida5883]

What the actual F... ??? This guy needs to in jail.

[@angelanderson9515]

He never gave them permission to have a cat. Therefore, he thought he should kill it. And then lie to everyone about it.

[@mayakattt3475]

“We can judge the heart of a man by his treatment of animals.” - Immanuel Kant

[@bekahjoy6600]

It's illegal to enter a tenant's apt without 24 hrs prior notice. Sue & jail the bastard.

[@YaYaPaBla]

Poor kitty.😔

[@charlesbland1073]

WTF...?

[@igeo212]

Easy pain and suffering case. He tried to scare it with a gun?? TF??

[@Dranma51]

That is cruel! It doesn’t matter if he didn’t give them permission to have a cat! You don’t just shoot a defenseless cat! That’s disturbing! 😡😡😡

[@mujkocka]

Guys you need a written permission from your landlord to have a cat. But as a cat owner, that dude needs to be charged with animal cruelty.

[@JoanneMcglashan-gv1up]

R .I. P kitty 😢 🇦🇺

[@margritpiepes8242]

Well just because he owns the property does not give him the right tk enter their living quarters when they are not at Home .Plus killing the Cat . Cons I. Man!!!🙄🙄🙄🙄🤨

[@soni8995]

Rest In Peace you precious fur baby. May your mommy and daddy sue and win the maximum.

[@coolzworldd]

Dude is a slumlord, you’re never supposed to enter a house without 24 hours notice posted outside. Sue his a💰💰

[@morgansummers5803]

It's people like him that led to tenets rights laws ( that sadly protect squatters more than anyone now) because they act like just because you are renting they can treat you any way they want!

[@chewface]

The fact that this monster even gave a statement on camera shows how remorseless and disgusting he truly is.

[@RyanSmith6644]

Wtaf!!!!! Disgusting. I hate the world this has become now.

[@BlackJesus8463]

Bruh is a full-blown sociopath.

[@3112isabel]

He is clearly deranged. Is a landlord allowed to just goin without notifying a tenant?

[@roadmonitoroz]

As a cat owner, this makes me mad and disgusted. I have permission for my cat. He's listed on the lease . There are rules for entering a property (notices issues with a minimum time) I can only imagine how the cat owner feels. I was angry when the real estate let my indoor cat out during an inspection. It ended up costing me hundreds of dollars in vet bills as he's an indoor cat and can't handle outside (gets in fights with others) . The trauma made him sick for a week . He nearly died. Wouldn't eat, wouldn't move, lost weight, got an eye infection and had to be nursed back to health (eye drops multiple times a day and hand feeding). This meant I had to take time off work (no pay) as well. For this reason, every time there is an inspection I take the day off, make sure I'm present and restrain the cat while they enter / exit

[@danabrown9979]

That guy's a sicko he definitely should go to jail

[@KevinCook-f4z]

Random checks......you have to give heads up notice multiple days in advance before entering the home as they are under contract. I guess If i was a property owner says I owned a piece of land and this business owner was leasing the land and or a building for his companies user I could just waltz in there any time I want and he should not expect any privacy what so ever. this guy is an idiot he also fired a weapon illegally!

[@gcactus69]

If that was my cat, I'd be the one in jail.

[@onlysayingtheobvious6006]

If your trying to scare something away you shout and wave your arms , but this man was more then eager to be carrying that firearm and shooting multiple shots , one shot should be more then enough to scare anything away , but multiple shots ? Thats quite literally intent to kill , he just lost everything , but considering the type of person he comes off as I’m not surprised in the slightest with his actions .

[@gothivore277]

If he fired his gun just to scare the cat then why was he pointing it at the animal?

[@leonardmacaulay9833]

Dustin is a citizen that should be denied his 2nd amendment rights.

[@lee3171]

His name is Dustin McCormack

[@dystopia-usa]

No species is more cruel than humans. Not even close.

[@beckinfidelis3916]

1:46 I go to my houses for random checks all the time. That's illegal! You need a valid reason, like emergency repairs, and a minimum 24 hour notification.

[@transientcylon]

Landlords have to provide 24 hours notice before entering.

[@3112isabel]

Who scares a cat? Why would that even be something you’d be “trying” to do……

[@amyfay5791]

He thinks he is justified!

[@nicholastorres3381]

What a monster?

[@kristib1693]

Nah, this guy has serious issues, you don't shoot at an innocent animal like that. It's a cat, it's not a threat to you and it doesn't take a weapon to scare one. He needs jail time ASAP. Plus, he made sure to break in while they were away? Come on now.

[@hera7884]

You do not need to use a gun to scare a cat.

[@DakotaFord592]

The story is crazy!! The poor cat!!!!

[@Mary-sf8cy]

That guy is a psycho

[@jomiddleton4225]

He need to be jail

[@DonutTalkToMe17]

Cats aren’t even destructive to homes……..

[@DanielleKoslowski-lh7bu]

First of all that could of been handled differently. No excuse 🚫 , this guy is dangerous, too dangerous to be in charge of people , what or who is next !!! Prayers 🙏 for this couple and their cat , how traumatizing . 😢😢😢😢😢.

[@mitchelnorton2692]

Had this been my cut that guy would not have made it to jail. And I would be in jail. My cat is my furbaby. Hurt my fur baby at your peril.

[@RSMR7.]

So sad 😢😢😢

[@Gigrunt887]

Evil

[@odinsmojo]

Breaking and Entering, Criminal Tresspass, cruelty to animals, felony level animal abuse resulting in death of a pet, violation of several landlord tenant laws in NC, which is a triple damage state as well. They have a really good cut case against him for a lot of money.

[@kylereese4822]

He’s a model citizen, he currently has the following charges pending in court on top of this horrendous crime DV protective order violation 2 counts Cyberstalking Assault on a female Expired registration/card tag Reckless driving to endanger Speeding Resisting public officer Maybe it’s just time for him to go away!!

[@HoomanthingMeetDog]

If he's doing this to innocent helpless animals hes doing things to children.

[@deborahbaker4770]

You can’t just break into a room or apartment that you have rented without a 24 hour notice ‼️ if they signed a lease or some type of room rent agreement not having a cat should have been written into the agreement whether it was a lease or a room rent agreement ‼️

[@PsychedelicRug]

Yet he pointed the gun directly at the cats head

[@GracieAckerman]

What a monster 👺

[@emathecat]

Don't F with Cats, Guys. Don't ever F with Cats.

[@Chronically_JBoo]

WTF THAT IS MURDER

[@nhoegler]

The landlord should have to give her the house that she was renting.

[@KamiSars]

why his ass still in on Facebook and in Morganton?

[@tparis4475]

Should not be allowed to rent ever again.

[@justint4069]

What is he talking about ? Random checks aren’t allowed??

[@lee3171]

nope, you have to arrange a check with the tenant in advance.

[@justint4069]

@@lee3171 I know sorry I used bad grammar I’m just like what is he even talking about that’s illegal

[@ouroboris]

If I say what I feel, KZbin would muzzle me for a year.

[@stellaluuk2713]

Sounds like they rented a room in his house, seems unlikely pets would be allowed, but any reasonable person knows you don't shoot at anything unless you intend to kill it! He owes them vet bills, all expenses this cost them and emotional damages. They need to move if they haven't already.

[@kitsiewr]

He's playing it like that, but film shows him entering from an outside door - brags he does "random checks"??? CREEPER

[@curtisdonnelly9523]

How do you break in a home that you owned???