Crime & Safety
At Least 30 Dogs Cats Found Dead In SC Rescue CEO's Home: Sheriff
Thirty dead animals were found in the home of an animal rescue director for GROWL. Caroline Dawn Pennington was arrested Friday.
SOUTH CAROLINA — The CEO and director of an animal rescue group was arrested over the weekend after 30 dead cats and dogs were found at her home that had a "smell of death," according to the Richland County Sheriff's Office.
Nonprofit rescue group GROWL CEO Caroline Dawn Pennington, 47, was arrested Friday after she turned herself in this month, according to Richland County deputies. She has been charged with thirty counts of ill-treatment of animals. Pennington is a well-known figure in the animal rescue community.
Twenty-eight dogs and two cats were found decomposing in cages and crates in her home, said the sheriff's office.
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Sheriff Lott called this one of the worst cases of animal cruelty he’s ever seen. “It’s appalling and it’s heartbreaking. This is someone who was entrusted by the community to care for these animals and find them homes. She betrayed that trust and she betrayed the trust of these innocent animals who relied on her.”
On May 22 police were called to Pennington’s home in Columbia to conduct a welfare check after receiving a call stating a “smell of death” was coming from the residence, according to the sheriff's office.
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Investigators said they believe the animals have been deceased for a significant amount of time and died due to dehydration and starvation.
On Friday, Pennington appeared before a judge where she was given a $75,000 bond and an ankle monitor, reported Fox57.
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