Upstate South Carolina Police Investigating Animal Cruelty Allegation

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Police in Greer, South Carolina are investigating allegations of animal cruelty after horrific images of an emaciated dog locked in a cage were posted to social media over the weekend. The dog has since been “euthanized” by its owner, sources familiar with the situation have confirmed.

Our media outlet was alerted to this awful situation on Saturday (April 13, 2024) via an email sent through our tip line. According to the email, the animal locked in a cage – a one-year-old pit bull mix named ‘Marley’ – was photographed in “distressing conditions, surrounded by what appears to be its own urine and feces.”

“Despite these alarming visuals and the severity of the situation, the Greer police department has allegedly failed to act,” the email claimed.

Our media outlet has submitted a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request to the Greer police department in the hopes of obtaining additional information about its investigation into this animal cruelty allegation.

(Click to view)

We are also working to obtain additional information as to how Marley came to reside at the Greer address where she was allegedly “euthanized” – as well as information about those individuals who were responsible for her care.

South Carolina’s code of laws (§ 47-1-40) expressly outlaws the “ill-treatment” of animals – including depriving them of “necessary sustenance or shelter.” That charge is a misdemeanor punishable by a prison term of up to ninety days or a fine of up to $1,000 for a first offense, or a prison term of up to two years with a fine of up to $2,000 for a second offense.

A subsequent statute outlaws animal torture – including the infliction of “excessive or repeated unnecessary pain or suffering” upon an animal. That charge is a felony and carries with it a jail sentence of 180 days and a fine of up to $5,000.

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According to the South Carolina Humane Society, anyone who witnesses animal cruelty is urged to contact their local law enforcement as well as info@humanesc.org. Reports of abuse and/ or neglect should include the following information:

• An accurate and exact description of the incident witnessed (make sure to include date and time).
• A detailed description of the animal(s) involved in the incident.
• The address and a description of the location where the incident occurred.
• An accurate identity of the alleged perpetrator, if known, including name, address and telephone number.  If possible, tell any known associates or co-participants in the alleged incident.
• Your name and telephone number. Such information may be kept confidential; however, it is helpful for law enforcement or The Humane Society to have a point of contact in the event of misdirection or miscommunication.

Our media outlet has focused extensively in recent months on allegations involving the mistreatment of animals (see here and here). Count on us to dig deeper into this situation and provide our audience with updates as additional information becomes available …

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR …

Will Folks is the founding editor of the news outlet you are currently reading. Prior to founding FITSNews, he served as press secretary to the governor of South Carolina and before that he was a bass guitarist and dive bar bouncer. He lives in the Midlands region of the state with his wife and eight children.

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