Animal Control Director Deena Hallman says in two days she signed five warrants for ill treatment of animals.
Normally, animal cruelty cases are spread out through the months, but Hallman said three-fourths of the recent cases are due to people losing their homes, through foreclosure or eviction. And when the people move on, the pets are left behind.
“People are moving and leaving their dogs behind,” said Hallman. “We had one abandoned dog to die, and several where you could stand back and count their ribs.”
What makes the abandonment cases even harder to accept for local animal control officers, is that there is no charge for county pet owners to drop off unwanted animals at the shelter from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.
“Right now the shelter is full,” said Hallman of the pound located on Highway 34 near I-26.
Hallman adds that county law stipulates animals must have shelter (three sides, a floor and a roof), a 24-hour water supply and a rabies shot.
If there is a violation, animal control officers leave a warning at a residence, and return to check on the animal.
Also, in cases of animals that appear malnourished, officers ask for a veternarian exam.
Another widespread problem that animal control officers are issuing tickets for is that of dogs being restrained with logging chains.
Hallman advises pet owners against making dogs suffer by pulling around heavy chains.
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