Apex, NC – The Chatham County Sheriff’s Office has reviewed previous calls for service connected to the Alston Road area following this week’s ongoing death investigation near Apex.
Deputies and emergency responders were dispatched to 267 Alston Road shortly before 11 a.m. on May 19, where 85-year-old Betty Alston was found deceased outside the residence. Investigators later identified three dogs connected to the investigation as belonging to Dennis O’Keith Faulkner, 32, of Apex.
Faulkner has since been charged with three counts of misdemeanor allowing animals to roam at large prohibited and three counts of misdemeanor dog/cat/ferret vaccination violation. The investigation remains ongoing, and additional charges may be filed pending further review and investigative findings.
The Sheriff’s Office confirmed two previous incidents involving Faulkner, both involving two different dogs formerly owned by him.
The first incident occurred in December 2025 and involved a report of loose dogs. By the time deputies arrived, the animals were back on the property. During that response, the owner was educated about county ordinances regarding keeping dogs confined to their property and was issued a verbal warning.
County law requires animal owners and keepers to maintain control of their animals and prohibits allowing them to roam off their property.
A second incident occurred in February 2026 and involved a well-being check on the same two dogs from the December call. During that response, Faulkner surrendered those animals to the Sheriff’s Office.
The Sheriff’s Office had not previously responded to complaints or incidents involving the three dogs connected to this week’s investigation.
Investigators are also aware of another dog-related call in the broader Alston Road area in 2025. At this time, the Sheriff’s Office has not identified information connecting that incident to Faulkner or to the dogs involved in the current investigation.
The investigation into Betty Alston’s death remains ongoing.