If you are interested in supporting our efforts to end dog-fighting in South Carolina, please make your donation payable to the S.C. Anti Dog Fighting Task Force and forward to 3861 Leeds Ave. Charleston, S.C. Thank You

S.C. Law prohibits these activities and a conviction of this law may bring a fine of up to $5,000 and imprisonment for up to five years. If you witness animal cruelty, call your local police or animal control.

North Charleston Police Department 554-5700 North Charleston Animal Control 740-2815 Charleston County Animal Control 554-4700 Berkeley County Animal Control 723-7603 Dorchester Cty Animal Control 832-0070

This is a new page for our web site and will feature animal cruelty cases and their outcomes. If you witness the neglect or abuse of an animal please make sure you report it to the police.

All complaints received by the shelter are referred to the appropriate animal control agency. The following are updates of some of the cases in which we have been involved and their current status.

NEWS RELEASE

Update October 29, 2007

Phoenix the emaciated dog, which was brought to the shelter on Oct. 9^th, had his day in court today. His owner Melinda Rodriguez plead guilty to Animal Cruelty. After hearing testimony from the City of Charleston Animal Services Officer Taylor, Kay Hyman from the JASPCA and Phoenix’s Foster parents, Don and Cody McKenzie, Judge Molony ordered: $1,087 finePartial payment of $375 to be paid by Friday November 2^nd which will be turned over to the JASPCA for medical care of Phoenix. The rest of the fine will be suspended upon compliance.>Ownership of Phoenix immediately transferred to the JASPCA >Defendant is not allowed to own another dog in the City of Charleston.

The d

efendant was remorseful and stated that she had cared for the dog but was having personal problems over the last few months. Judge Molony was sympathetic but stated that animals depend on us to care for them and there is no excuse for her treatment of Phoenix.

Phoenix was adopted today by his foster family and will undergo heartworm treatment at the SPCA when he recovers.

Phoenix the emaciated dog, which was brought to the shelter on Oct. 9^th day in court was delayed today. Judge Molony granted an extension for the hearing in City of Charleston’s Livability Court to October 29^th at 8:30am. The defendant did not have transportation to court. Judge Molony was visibly upset after viewing the pictures of Phoenix and ordered he stay in protective custody with the JASPCA until the rescheduled court date. He also ordered that Phoenix could be placed in a foster home until that time. Phoenix has gained almost 10 lbs since arriving at the shelter in less than 7 days.

Judge Molony to hear animal neglect case!

CHARLESTON, S.C. — On Tuesday October 9^th at approximately 9am the City of Charleston Police Department received a call from the property manager of the Georgetown Apartments on Orangegrove Road, West Ashley about an abandoned dog. The witness stated that the tenant had been evicted from her apartment and had left her dog. Upon arrival animal control officer Taylor found confined in the bathroom a male, neutered mixed breed dog named “Phoenix”. The dog was living in its own feces and urine and had no supply of food or water. The dog was visibly emaciated and was immediately transported to the John Ancrum SPCA for medical care. Phoenix was suffering from extreme emaciation and internal and external parasites. He is also heartworm positive. The tenant and owner of the dog, Melinda Marie Rodriguez was given a summons to appear in court to face charges of Neglect and Proper Care of an animal due to the extreme neglect of the dog. She will face Judge Molony on Monday at 8:30am in City of Charleston Livability Court if found guilty she faces 30 days in jail and or a fine of $1,087.

It is the hope of the JASPCA that Judge Molony will order custody of Phoenix to the SPCA so that he can be brought back to health and find a home where he will be cared for properly.

If you see an animal that is being neglected or abandoned please call the sheriff’s office or animal control department for your city.

On June 21^st at approximately 9:30am, North Charleston Animal Control received a call from a CSX Transportation company employee about a dog who was lying on the railroad tracks. The dog had been hit by a train near the Fabians shopping Plaza and the Durant and Rivers Ave. intersection and was severely injured. The engineer was attempting to go down the track when he spotted the dog and had to back the train up. Officer Doris Taylor from North Charleston Animal Control arrived on the scene and she and the CSX engineer walked about one third of a mile down the tracks to the helpless dog. William Roper helped officer Taylor to gently put the pup on a stretcher and carry him back to her vehicle. The dog, affectionately nicknamed “Thomas” had extensive lacerations to his abdomen and right rear leg. He was stabilized by the medical staff of the John Ancrum SPCA and then transported to the care of Dr. Lori Ludwig at Veterinary Surgical Care in Mt. Pleasant. Everyone who has been involved with “Thomas” is amazed that he survived his ordeal and by his friendly demeanor.

Thomas underwent surgery to close the large wounds on his stomach and the wounds on his legs are being irrigated and watched for infection. Dr. Ludwig feels his prognosis is good and hopefully his leg will not have to be amputated. “Thomas’” care will cost almost $1,500.

Each year over 10,000 animals pass though our doors many of them requiring specialized emergency care. A special fund has been set up to help cover these extreme medical expenses. This fund is nearly depleted and the John Ancrum Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals needs your help to pay for his care and to replenish funds used to treat other severely injured animals.

To make a donation to help “Thomas” and other injured animals and continue this vital service, please call Marc Edwards 843-747-4849 x 210 or make a donation online at www.jaspca.com. Make sure you designate your gift for the Carstarphen Fund for injured animals.

Thomas Update: Thanks to many donors to our Injured Animal Fund, Thomas is well on the road to recovery from his accident. After weeks living with the fine friends of the animals at Advance Surgical Care in Mt.Pleasant, Thomas was finally released to our care. He will be returning weekly for bandage and cast changes but it looks like he will be able to keep his leg thanks to Dr.Lori Ludwig and her staff.

Animal behaviorist and dog trainer Susan Marett was called in to e

valuate Thomas and has committed to visiting him weekly to help his transition from his injuries to his foster or new home. We are looking for a home that can work with his special needs. Foster applications will be accepted. Thomas is housebroken and very used to people. He has shown some negative behavior (snapping but not biting and has some food aggression issues) which Susan attributes to pain issues and his questionable background. Thomas will need a family who is willing to work thru these issues. Thomas is a typical Bassett mix and thinks cats and squirrels need to be kept at bay so no small animals please. The update photos were taken by Blu Nalu photographer Nick Kuchar.

Hampton Park Terrace dog, abandoned for six months, finally liberated from extreme neglect!

On Thanksgiving Day a family living at #6 North Allan Park in Hampton Terrace, moved out of their house leaving behind a small black dog. It was wearing a black puppy collar with jewels on it. The neighbors in Hampton Park Terrace joined together and began putting out food for this puppy in hopes that it would gain their trust and come to one of them, but it did not. As time went on, the puppy began coming out more at night than during the day and was intermittently spotted coming out from under different houses in the neighborhood. City of Charleston Animal Services was called in January because it was obvious to the neighbors that this dog was growing and his collar was becoming tighter on his neck. Animal services placed a cage with food in it in an attempt to trap the dog at #6 Allan Park, which had been vacant since Thanksgiving. Animal Services monitored the cage but this dog was way too street smart to go into it. Time passed and the sightings of the dog became scarce until a neighbor spotted him drinking water from a planter in her yard. Today that dog was liberated from its painful life. Neighbors along with Animal Services from the City of Charleston cornered it last night trapping it under the house. Officers with City Animal Services, County Animal Control and John Ancrum SPCA managed to get the dog to the SPCA to receive the veterinary care it needed. Dr.Jennifer Fakkema examined the dog nicknamed “Allan” by local residents and found it to weigh 33lbs and should have weighed around 50lbs.The collar on the dogs neck was imbedded deeply enough to inhibit lymphatic drainage from his head causing it to be three times its normal size. John Ancrum SPCA staff are testing him for internal parasites and watching his progress. Dr.Fakkema irrigated and shaved the wound on his neck and removed a 9” long collar. “Alan’s” neck is approximately 13”. Dr. Fakkema’s prognosis for “Alan” is guarded.

Officers are pursuing the persons responsible for abandoning this helpless animal leaving it to fend for it self on the streets. The John Ancrum SPCA is sending a message to Lowcountry residents that animal cruelty and neglect will not be tolerated. If you have any information about this case please contact City of Charleston Animal Services at 720-3915. If you witness the cruel treatment or abandonment of an animal, please contact the police department in your area or you can call the JASPCA 843-747-4849 and leave an anonymous report.

After 6 days in the care of the John Ancrum SPCA Alan's neck injury is slowly healing and his swolen neck has gone down by 50%. He gained three pounds and is slowly recognizing the kind hands of staff. Today, Alan started a journey with his new foster parents. After seeing an e-mail describing his needs, a local family took him into their home to help him to recover from the scars inflicted upon his body and his soul. Alan will have a great chance a living a normal dog life with the intensive care and training he needs. We will keep updating his progress in pictures and words on this site.

Today Alan is living the life with his two new dog friends Daisy and Boo he has been named "Marley" in honor of Bob Marley and continues to become a puppy and has a great life. We will continue to update his files because so many people have expressed interest in his progress.

"Stowe" Neglected Before surgery to remove his leg and his treatment for Mange and after foster care _______________________________________________________

Just recently, a stray dog was picked up on Edisto Island by a kind and caring person. Because of where the dog was picked up, the staff decided to name him Eddie. Eddie has a severely injured front leg as well as mange. It seems he had his shoulder stepped on and broken when he was a puppy. That shoulder and attached leg no longer work for Eddie. Unfortunately, Eddie’s front leg needs to be amputated so that he can function without that appendage getting in the way of his daily activities. The gentleman who rescued Eddie brought him to us and made a donation towards his care. As generous as the donation was, it is only a starting place for Eddie’s care, not to mention the needs of the other 11,000 homeless and so

metimes maimed and crippled animals that we care for annually. As much as we want to do all we can for Eddie, we must also continue to care for all the other abused and abandoned animals at our facility that just need a clean place to sleep, nourishing food to eat and essential medical care just to survive. Won’t you help Eddie and all those wonderful animals have a chance today? We need your help to continue to care for these homeless, neglected and abandoned animals we house each year. The John Ancrum SPCA never turns any animal away, therefore our needs are great and we need your support to continue to feed, provide love and nourishment and shelter for these lost and abused animals.

Please make your gift today to the John Ancrum SPCA and help us to continue to provide food, shelter and necessary medical care for the more than 11,000 homeless animals we care for each year. We want to prepare as many as possible for adoption so we can find them permanent loving homes.

Stowe Now after surgery, There was no keeping this dog still he runs faster than most with only three legs.

The John Ancrum Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals received a call from two concerned citizens, reporting horses which were boarded with them were being neglected by their owner. Tim and Gail Elwell of Awendaw turned over five horses they were boarding to the SPCA on Friday Sept. 8th, 2006. Tim told Kay Hyman, Director of Outreach and Communications that he wanted the animals to be adopted by families who could care for them properly and give them loving caring homes. He said, "I do not want to see them stay in the vicious cycle of neglect in baording situations". Tim and Gail had converted two acres of their property to house the horses and had kept them well fed and socialized. Unfortunately their owner, Ms. Ila Rosalie Wehmeyer of 291 Hobcaw Drive, Mt.Pleasant, S.C. failed to pay her boarding bills leaving them no choice but to turn the animals over to the SPCA. The previous owner owes the Elwell's over $8,000 and a magistrate Judge in Mt.Pleasant told Mr.Elwell to relinquish the animals to the SPCA. The SPCA erected a special covering for the horses and is in need of donations to help with their care. If you are interested in helping the SPCA please make a donation online or mail to our main office at 3861 Leeds Ave. Charleston, S.C. 29405

Horse Abandonment Case Update 9/21/06 Ms. Ila Rosalie Wehmeyer was charged by Charleston County Animal Control with 5 counts of abandonment for the five horses brought to the SPCA on 9/08/06. Ms Winmeyer will face a judge on five counts of abandonment and is awaiting trial. All five horses have been placed in foster care and are reported to be doing great.

Emaciated, near death dog seized from

North Charleston home!(9/07/06)The John Ancrum SPCA received a call from a concerned citizen, reporting a dog which was being neglected in a backyard in Forest Hills. The citizen is a meter reader and stated that he had noticed each month that the dog was losing more and more weight and that on the last day he visited the yard, the dog was unable to stand. North Charleston Animal Control was contacted by the SPCA to do a welfare check at the residence. Upon arrival Officer Fulcher found the dog lying in his own waste with his only water source being larvae filled rain water. The dog was nearly starved to death and unable to stand on his own. After Officer Fulcher made contact with the owner of the dog he immediately placed the mixed breed dog into protective custody. The dog was transported to the John Ancrum Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals and is being cared for by shelter staff.

The dog was examined by a local veterinarian and rated from 1-10 for emaciation, 1 being good 10 being severe. The dog was evaluated as a 10-Severely emaciated. The dog, nicknamed “Sam” by staff was also found to be heartworm positive and could not stand without assistance. Mr. Charles Karesh, president of the board of directors for the SPCA stated” This is one of the worst cases of animal neglect we’ve seen, to deprive an animal of food and water is deplorable.” “We hope this case will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.” “This kind of act should not be tolerated by our society.” North Charleston Animal Control has issued a warrant for the owners arrest and charges of animal cruelty and ill-treatment to an animal are pending his arrest. The penalty for a conviction of Animal Cruelty is a Felony and the owner could face five years in jail and a fine of $5,000

CASE UPDATE 9/22/06 The owner of the emaciated canine "Sam" , Mr. Leroy Harry Bennett of 7725 Mendlewood Ave., turned himself in to North Charleston Police Department. He was released on 9/21/06 from Charleston County Jail on a $10,000 Bond. He is awaiting his court date to face charges of cruelty and neglect.Sam gained over 15lbs the first week in his foster home and has now found a forever home.

For interviews or to photograph the animals, please call JASPCA Public Relations Coordinator, Kay Hyman @ 843-224-0899.

CASE UPDATE 9/12/07

After a year of recovery, “Sam” the emaciated dog found tied in his backyard unable to stand, got his day in court. The owner of the dog, Mr. Leroy Harry Bennett of 7725 Mendlewood Ave., faced Judge Revelese today at 10am, in North Charleston Municipal Court. His case had been lowered down to the Municipal court by the Solicitors office. Leroy Bennett was apprised of the charges brought against him and plead guilty to the charge of Cruelty to Animals. After testimony by Officer Futrel of the City of North Charleston police Department, Dr. Jim Southard, attending veterinarian and Kay Hyman, JASPCA Representative, Judge Revelise ordered that Mr. Bennett serve 30 days in jail for his crime. Judge Revelise held the picture of “Sam” up in court and stated that this was the worst case of neglect that had ever crossed his desk. Mr. Bennett was led from the courtroom immediately to serve his sentence.

The John Ancrum Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals received a call from two concerned citizens, reporting neglected horses on Willtown Road in Ravenel. Charleston County Sheriffs Department animal control officer Valarie White investigated and officers from the sheriff’s department and animal control seized 3 horses from the location. Officer White transported the animals to the SPCA on Leeds Ave. The three horses, a 7 year old Appaloosa Stallion, a Buckskin Mare about 20 years old and a Bay Stallion pony approximately 7 years old, are emaciated 250-300lbs underweight and suffering from rain rot and overgrown hoofs. The Charleston County Agricultural Response Team provided support for the rescue operation by providing support panels and equipment to handle the large animals. The SPCA staff is caring for the animals which are on a special feeding regiment of watered down hay and senior equine feed. Their recovery will be lengthy and they will be transported to a foster farm after medical tests are performed. Animal Care charges are pending against the horses owner in this case.

The owner of these animals, Mr Charles Smalls faces three charges of animal care which carry a fine of $1,085 each or 30 days in jail each. A custody hearing for these animals will be held on Friday August 12th in Charleston County Court.

Neglect of any animal is a crime and the John Ancrum SPCA is asking low country residents who live in rural areas to report any signs of abuse. Animals cannot speak for themselves and rely on the kindness of our community to protect them. Call your local sheriffs department or police department if you witness cruelty to any animal .

On April 7^th investigators found and removed 47 pit bulls from property in Ravenel owned by David Ray Tant. Most of the dogs were kept on heavy chains with barrels for shelter. Some of the dogs had no water and many had bite marks consistent with dog fighting and baiting. Staff from the JASPCA assisted investigators with processing and checking all of the animals on the property. The JASPCA assumed responsibility for the care and housing of the animals for Charleston County. Mr. Tant appeared before Judge Jack Guedalia in bond court on April 8^th facing 47 charges of animal fighting and neglect. Bail was set at $332,000 which was later reduced by $150,000. As part of his being released from jail on bail, Mr. Tant would comply with house arrest procedures and could not own any dogs. On April 21^st, Mr. Tant appeared before Judge David Coker for a custody hearing for the forty seven dogs. Custody was awarded to the Charleston County Sheriff’s Department. The South Carolina Attorney General’s office prosecuted this case as part of the statewide anti-dog fighting task force. On Monday November 22nd, David Ray Tant, one of the world's most successful breeders of ferocious pit bulls, was sentenced to 40 years in prison after he pleaded guilty to dog fighting and planting a booby trap that injured a land surveyor. Tant's sentence is one of the longest for a dog fighting conviction in the United States. Judge Saunders sentenced Tant to five years in prison on six of the 41 dog fighting charges. He suspended the others. He gave him the 10 year maximum on the assault charge and all charges are to be served consecutively. Tant was prosecuted by the South Carolina State Attorney General, Mc Master's dog fighting task force, supported with private money. This case was a seven month ordeal. A common strategy among animal fighters and their attorneys is to use the legal system to delay the process as long as possible. It causes hardship on the humane society housing the animals as well as the government body paying the bills. David Tant was represented by attorneys Dale Cobb and Mike Bosnak.

A call from a concerned citizen in reference to conditions witnessed when an attempt to purchase a puppy advertised in the paper prompted an investigation concerning the animals owned by Larry Davis of John's Island. A search warrant was executed on October 7, 2004 which resulted in 27 malamutes being taken into protective custody, and Mr. Davis facing 18 violations of the county animal care ordinance. The dogs lived in the worst conditions ever witnessed by the response team and deputies.

Mr. Davis last appeared in court in 1998 on similar charges and was ordered to stop the breeding of the dogs and keep the premises in accordance with Charleston County Code. A huge public effort was made to assist him with cleaning and repairing the property in order for him to be able to take six dogs back at that time.

The animals are currently being placed in foster care pending a hearing on the current charges and an appeal on the recent custody hearing. Again the legal system has put the burden on the humane society to house these animals. Mr. Davis is also represented by Mike Bosnak, one of the attorneys who represented convicted dog fighter David Tant.

Deputy Rhom, Deputy Nuss and Deputy White of Charleston County Animal Control are to be commended for the enormous effort it took to rescue these animals.

The John Ancrum SPCA answered a call from rescue groups to assist in reducing the number of dogs from Have A Heart Sanctuary in Walterboro because of overcrowded conditions. The rescue Staff from the JASPCA visited the sanctuary and removed 22 dogs to bring back to our shelter for adoption purposes. There were almost 300 animals on the property, mostly cats and dogs. The sanctuary director, Dorothy Ashenbrenner acknowledged that she had too many animals to care for properly. During our visit we found poor housing, many sick animals, and sanitation problems. The following day, the JASPCA and Charleston County Animal Control were asked by Colleton County Animal Care and Control to assist them in a cruelty investigation of Have a Heart Sanctuary. JASPCA staff assisted a local veterinarian in evaluating the health of the dogs and cats at the property. A small number of animals were euthanized who were assessed to have severe health problems and were suffering. Other rescue groups helped by removing the remaining animals. The groups helping included Pet Helpers, Low Country Animal Rescue, Cat Nip Cottage, and Doc Williams SPCA. Ms Dorothy Ashenbrenner of the “Have a Heart Sanctuary” was charged with two counts of animal neglect by Colleton County Animal Control. She appeared before Judge K.A. Campbell in Colleton County Magistrates court on April 1^st. Ms. Aschenbrenner pleaded no contest and received 60 days in jail suspended on the condition she surrender her 501(c)(3) non-profit status for the Have A Heart Sanctuary, not have more than two personal animals in her care, and pay a fine of $450.

On April 29^th over 100 gamecocks, hens, chicks and eggs were removed from the residence of Antonio Andre on Johns Island. Officers responded to a call regarding poor living conditions. Staff from the JASPCA joined the officers in collecting all of the animals and transporting them to our shelter for temporary housing and care. The animals had no food and had either dirty or no water in their cages. Most of the chickens were very thin and the roosters’ combs, waddles and spurs were cut in a fashion used for illegal cockfighting. Unfortunately under South Carolina laws, Mr. Andre could not be charged with cockfighting, animal cruelty, or animal fighting. Mr. Andre was convicted on all 56 counts of animal neglect and was ordered to pay $3,520.80 restitution. He also received thirty days in Charleston County’s Work Release program. Custody of the chickens was turned over to the Charleston County Sheriff’s Office. The John Ancrum SPCA found new homes for 129 hens, chicks, and roosters

Important Links for more information The Humane Society of the United States www.hsus.org