North Carolina
North Carolina vet tech Dason Garner charged, fired after rescuing abandoned dog during snowstorm
A North Carolina veterinary technician has been charged and fired from her job after she rescued a dog that was abandoned in the cold winter weather — but failed to hand the pooch over to animal control.
Dason Garner has been left “completely broken” as she faces charges for keeping a stray animal, failure to surrender and interfering with law enforcement over her deed, according to WRAL.
Garner says she was punished for her act of compassion in rescuing the pooch from the brutal conditions after a harsh snowstorm barreled across Wilson, NC, over the weekend.
The now-former vet tech saw doorbell footage of a person, later identified as Ashley Baker, walking up to a neighbor’s front porch, dropping off the shaggy canine and scurrying away, according to video obtained by the outlet.
“I was only trying to help a dog who was suffering, cold, and in need. I acted out of compassion, instinct, and love for an animal that could not help itself,” Garner wrote on Facebook Tuesday.
“To now be wrongfully charged for doing what I believed was the right thing has caused deep emotional pain that I carry now,” she said. “Being punished for trying to protect a vulnerable dog has left me feeling devastated, confused, and betrayed by a system that was supposed to value life and kindness.”
The storm, a bomb cyclone or “bombogenesis,” wreaked havoc across the Tar Heel State, bringing more cold weather and snow to the region, with Wilson recording upward of 11 inches, according to CBS17.
Garner took in the “sweet” dog and called animal control to report the deserted pet, only to be told to bring the animal down for an investigation, WRAL reported.
She refused the order, claiming that with her expertise, she knew her home would be a safer place for the abandoned animal.
“In her condition, (and) as a vet tech and as a groomer, I don’t foresee her coming like that,” Garner said. “She wouldn’t stand a chance in a shelter.
“It’s very heartbreaking,” she said. “I don’t understand how you can do that [to] something so lovable. She was so sweet.”
Garner eventually made contact with the rightful owner of the dog — who had been missing for over two months — reuniting the human with their pup.
Baker has since been charged with abandonment of an animal.
Garner claims the aftermath of rescuing the dog has taken a mental toll, causing her to have constant anxiety, emotional exhaustion and a heavy sense of helplessness.
“My reputation has been damaged, my character questioned, and my compassion, something I have always been proud of, used against me. It hurts deeply to be labeled a criminal for choosing empathy over indifference,” she wrote, adding that her actions weren’t out of malice or selfish intent but because she couldn’t leave the dog to suffer.
“Knowing that this act of mercy has been twisted into wrongdoing has shattered my sense of fairness and justice,” she said.
On Wednesday, Garner said, she was fired from her position at an animal clinic in nearby Rocky Mount, NC, because she saved the dog.
Garner, a mother of a 2-year-old son, says she faces court and lawyer fees after just getting back to work, with police saying she was told multiple times to forfeit the dog to animal control, the Wilson County Sheriff’s Office told WRAL.
Garner doesn’t regret saving the dog, saying it would have died if not rescued.
“What hurts the most is that I would make the same choice again if it meant saving a life, yet I am now left carrying the emotional scars of being punished for doing what my conscience demanded,” she wrote.
The North Carolina Tar Heels will be a young program across the board next season, with well over two dozen freshmen and numerous additions from the transfer portal this offseason. Expectations for the 2026 season are lowered dramatically after a disastrous first season for head coach Bill Belichick, though those expectations could help the Tar Heels fly under the radar.
As the Tar Heels approach the end of spring ball, it is time to look at the veterans of the team—the ones who have the experience to lead, especially on the defensive side of the ball. Let’s look at three underrated seniors for the 2026 football season.
Ade Willie, Cornerback
Willie joins the Tar Heels program after four years with Michigan State, as the former 4-star player in the 2022 recruiting class gets an opportunity to not only provide depth to the secondary, but potentially start Week 0 against TCU.
Willie played in over 30 games with the Spartans and brings experience in the secondary at cornerback and safety, along with quality length and closing speed to the football. For a defense that needs players to step up, the redshirt senior from IMG Academy will be asked to do so.
Isaiah Johnson, Defensive Lineman
The defensive line is beginning to look like one of the Tar Heels’ strengths for the 2026 season. Johnson, a former transfer from Arizona, enters his redshirt senior year looking to add another year of production after 40 tackles and two sacks this past season.
North Carolina has an impressive group of starters with Malkart Abou-Jaoude, Leroy Jackson, and incoming transfer Jaylen Harvey. Johnson adds value to the group as a run defender with the ability to penetrate the pocket. While not discussed as a key player, Johnson’s name will be used plenty during the regular season as a potential standout for the program’s defensive front.
Coleman Bryson, Safety
Bryson was a reserve player for the Tar Heels’ secondary last season as a big nickel defender in the rotation. Heading into his redshirt senior year, the former Minnesota Gopher is looking to become a full-time starter in the secondary.
It wasn’t long ago when Bryson was making plays as the 2022 Pinstripe Bowl Defensive MVP. His special teams abilities were valuable for North Carolina last season, and he flashed at times in coverage against tight ends, including a pass breakup in the season-opener against TCU. The Waynesville, North Carolina, native could be a key defender on the back-seven in 2026.
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Friends and family members gathered in Washington state on Saturday, remembering former Miss North Carolina Carrie Everett, who died on Easter Sunday. Another memorial service is planned in North Carolina next month.
Web Editor : Sydney Ross
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Virginia 3, North Carolina 0 | First Quarter
Virginia 3, North Carolina 0 | Q1 8:19
After a faceoff win by Henry Metz, Brendan Millon finds Truitt Sunderland to give the Hoos a 3-0 lead. Timeout North Carolina.
Virginia 2, North Carolina 0 | Q1 9:00
Brendan Millon gets the scoring started for the Cavaliers with a question mark style goal. On the defensive end, Jake Marek opens the game with three early saves with his third save setting up a transition goal by Tommy Snyder.
Virginia vs North Carolina pregame notes
UVA owns a 59-33 advantage since the series began in 1938.
The 59 wins are UVA’s most against any opponent in program history (followed by 51 against Duke).
In Chapel Hill last year, the Tar Heels defeated the Cavaliers 18-9, snapping UVA’s six-game series win streak.
UVA has won nine of the last 11 meetings, dating back to 2018.
The Hoos have won the last two meetings with Carolina at Klöckner Stadium, 11-4 in 2022 and 14-6 in 2024.
The Tar Heels’ four goals in 2022 marked the fewest goals in a game under Joe Breschi, who was named UNC’s head coach in 2006.
The last time the Tar Heels knocked off the Cavaliers at Klöckner was a 16-13 decision during the first of three games between the two teams in 2021.
Later that year, UVA claimed back-to-back meetings against the Heels, including in the NCAA semifinals on the way to capturing the 2021 national title over Maryland.
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