Former officers accused of mistreating animals
By LEE HENDREN, T&D Staff Writer Sunday, July 19, 2009Two former Orangeburg County Animal Control officers have been charged with multiple counts of ill treatment of animals while performing their official duties.
The warrants stem from 2006, when the State Law Enforcement Division alleges they did not use the proper procedures to euthanize animals.
Warrants allege the men "did knowingly and/or intentionally ill-treat and inflict unnecessary pain or suffering upon" various animals at the county animal shelter in September or October 2006, "by employing the 'heart-stick' method of euthanasia without first providing sedation" as required by state law.
Under the heart-stick method, the euthanasia drug is injected directly into the animal's heart.
The warrants say other employees and volunteers at the county animal shelter witnessed the incidents.
The agency claims to have seen graphic video proof that the two "failed to follow procedures for performing euthanasia," including failing to weigh the animals to determine the proper amount of euthanasia solution that should have been administered.
Scotty James Thomas, 38, of 119 Wileswood Drive, Orangeburg, faces six misdemeanor counts. Johnny Kenoid Spells, 50, of 137 Nimmons Road, Orangeburg, faces four misdemeanor counts.
Both appeared before Orangeburg County Magistrate Derrick Dash on June 16 for bond hearings, court records show. Spells was released on a $4,000 personal recognizance bond. Thomas was released on a $6,000 personal recognizance bond, with the stipulation that he must have the court's permission to leave the state.
Trials for both were set for June 30, but their attorneys requested that be delayed. They are represented by Russell A. Blanchard IV and Charles Williams.
Blanchard said Friday afternoon that he didn't have any comment on the issue at that time.
According to previously published reports, investigators with the S.C. Department of Health and Environmental Control viewed the video on April 26, 2007 and launched an investigation of the Orangeburg County Animal Control program.
DHEC informed the animal control program employees of its investigation on May 24, 2007. Soon afterward, Orangeburg County Administrator Bill Clark placed four animal control officers and their manager at the time on paid administrative leave. On June 1, 2007, all five of the suspended employees were fired.
"The reason for your termination is your failure to properly administer euthanasia protocols in the manner prescribed under the laws of the state of South Carolina," Clark wrote in the termination letters.
T&D Staff Writer Lee Hendren can be reached by e-mail at lhendren@timesanddemocrat.com or by phone at 803-533-5523. Discuss this and other stories online at TheTandD.com.
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nouveaudebut wrote on Jul 25, 2009 4:37 AM:
nouveaudebut wrote on Jul 25, 2009 4:35 AM:
nouveaudebut wrote on Jul 25, 2009 4:33 AM:
nouveaudebut wrote on Jul 25, 2009 4:30 AM:
I DO know of what I speak. The officers were complacent in their duties. No comparison of canines to humans! "
SICKOFCRYING wrote on Jul 24, 2009 12:53 AM:
SICKOFCRYING wrote on Jul 24, 2009 12:51 AM:
wildthing wrote on Jul 21, 2009 2:51 PM:
nouveaudebut wrote on Jul 20, 2009 10:13 PM:
nouveaudebut wrote on Jul 20, 2009 10:11 PM:
Only civil cases for traveler? Get real. "
nouveaudebut wrote on Jul 20, 2009 10:09 PM:
nouveaudebut wrote on Jul 20, 2009 10:05 PM:
traveler wrote on Jul 19, 2009 12:19 PM:
melmel128 wrote on Jul 19, 2009 10:25 AM: