Dogs that were allegedly abused are being cared for by animal control workers as custody hearing looms
By HEATHER RUPPE
Officials with the Colleton County Animal Control services are still actively investigating a case of animal abuse/neglect.
Last week, this newspaper reported on a criminal case involving five dogs: the dogs were discovered by the Colleton County Sheriff’s Office when they responded to the Walterboro residence for a domestic dispute on March 31st. When officers arrived, they found the five dogs inside the residence. Animal control workers were then notified. The five animals were seized and taken into custody by animal control officials.
Animal shelter Director Laura Clark said they are still waiting on a custody hearing about two of the five animals. According to her, four of the five dogs are still in animal control custody: one of the five dogs was returned to its legal owner, who did not live at the residence where the animals were seized, and two of the dogs have been officially surrendered to animal control by the owner/suspect. However, the owner/suspect is refusing to surrender two more of the dogs, and a custody hearing for these animals is pending, she said.
The criminal case against the suspect is also still ongoing. This investigation is related to “animal care concerns,” she said.
In other Colleton County crime news:
Woman refuses to press charges in domestic case
Local law enforcement officers were called to a Walterboro residence on April 3rd by a man asking to have officers remove his girlfriend from his residence. While the officer was en route to the man’s house, 911-dispatchers received a second emergency call from the girlfriend, who said the man had assaulted her and was going to “put marks on himself” and make it seem like she assaulted him, a sheriff’s office report states. The deputy spoke with both people, and the woman declined to press charges. She also left the residence with a police escort. No other action was taken.
Driver caught with drugs
A deputy stopped a man driving along Sniders Highway near Cane Street on March 28th and ultimately arrested the man for illegally having a gun. According to a Colleton County Sheriff’s Office incident report, the deputy stopped the man for a traffic violation. However, the 27-year-old man is charged with possession of cocaine, first offense; possession with intent to distribute marijuana, first offense; and the unlawful carrying of a handgun.
Logging company accused of damaging property
Deputies with the Colleton County Sheriff’s Office were called to Wesley Grove Road in Cottageville on March 28th to a case of malicious injury to property and discovered what appears to be a dump site. According to a sheriff’s office incident report, the property owner is reporting that a logging company came onto his rural property without permission and created ruts and deep holes on his property. The landowner also says the logging company illegally dumped cut logs. The case is under investigation.
Motel guests refuse to pay
Officers with the Walterboro Police Department were called to a local motel recently to forcibly remove two people who were staying there without paying. According to a WPD incident report, the two guests are identified as a 46-year-old woman and a 35-year-old man, both from Moncks Corner. The two were staying at the Carolina Lodge and were refusing to pay for the room. The suspects owed the motel $60 for one night’s stay. The two suspects are charged with obtaining goods by false pretense and passing counterfeited money.
Gas drive-off
Deputies were called to a gas station on April 6th about someone getting gas and then leaving without paying. According to a Colleton County Sheriff’s Office incident rerport, the clerk of an Augusta Highway gas station in Walterboro notified authorities that a man pumped gas and then drove off without paying. The official crime is called “leaving gas station without paying,” and this case is under investigation. This is the first documented case at the sheriff’s office this year related to a gas drive-off.
