Hanging Dog – The Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office responded to animal welfare complaints at a residence on Gold Leaf Lane on Aug. 13 and Sept. 7.
On the initial Aug. 13 welfare check, deputies observed four puppies on the property – two brown and two black, estimated to be around 12 weeks old. The black puppies were found tied with ropes to bricks on the lower bank of the property, exposed to rain without shelter and visibly tangled, limiting their movement, according to a sheriff’s office release.
The residents, confirmed ownership of all four dogs, and also claimed responsibility for feeding and sheltering the animals. Deputies instructed the owner on proper animal care and ensured the black puppies were moved to a sheltered area before clearing the call.
However, on Sept. 7, deputies were dispatched to the same location following a report that the two black puppies had died. The animals were showing signs of deprivation as the bones of the hips, ribs and spine were clearly visible under the skin.
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No adults were present at the residence, though their belongings remained on site. One brown puppy was found alive, and arrangements were made for temporary care until the Valley River Humane Society could intervene.
David Walter Carver, 23, and Hailey Nicole Crisp 21, both of Hanging Dog, were booked on charges of killing an animal by Intentionally depriving an animal of sustenance. They were released after each posting $4,000 bond.
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Cherokee County Sheriff Dustin Smith called the case a tragic example for why all community partners need to come together and get serious about animal care and control. He said the county needs to fund two dedicated animal control officers and develop reasonable ordinances that specifically spell out legal ambiguities not covered in state law, such as what “adequate shelter” is.
“We can train these animal control officers in early intervention and investigations, and give them the legal tools necessary to do the job,” Smith said. “A reasonable animal control program could hopefully prevent situations like this.”
puppies had died. The animals were showing signs of deprivation as the bones of the hips, ribs and spine were clearly visible under the skin.
No adults were present at the residence, though their belongings remained on site. One brown puppy was found alive, and arrangements were made for temporary care until the Valley River Humane Society could intervene.
David Walter Carver, 23, and Hailey Nicole Crisp 21, both of Hanging Dog, were booked on charges of killing an animal by Intentionally depriving an animal of sustenance. They were released after each posting $4,000 bond.
Cherokee County Sheriff Dustin Smith called the case a tragic example for why community partners need to come together and get serious about animal care and control. He said the county needs to fund two dedicated animal control officers and develop reasonable ordinances that specifically spell out legal ambiguities not covered in state law, such as what “adequate shelter” is.
“We can train these animal control officers in early intervention and investigations, and give them the legal tools necessary to do the job,” Smith said. “A reasonable animal control program could hopefully prevent situations like this.”