In March of 2025 Colleton County Officials seized 22 animals in an animal abuse investigation. Colleton County Animal Services collaborated with the Colleton County Sheriff’s Office and Cottageville Police Department and took animals from a residence at Running Creek Lane in Cottageville. The investigation was prompted by a phone call from a concerned citizen who thought animals were at the residence and they had not seen anyone on the property for several days. 22 animals were “kept in deplorable conditions” and were removed from the property.
The Colleton County Sheriff’s office announces the arrest of Toni F. Avant in connection with this case. Avant has been charged with 16 counts of felony animal cruelty and is currently being held at the Colleton County Detention Center.
