AG Wilson Announces Action In Chesterfield Animal Shelter Case

South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson announced today that an Order naming both Chesterfield County and Chesterfield County Sheriff Sam Parker has been finalized with respect to the March 4, 2011, incident at the Chesterfield County Animal Shelter in which a number of dogs were euthanized by gunshot to the head.

Sheriff Parker has agreed to a Consent Order, and the Chesterfield County Council will decide whether to sign at its regular meeting on August 10, 2011. Final approval from the Court of Common Pleas would then be needed.

“The shelter workers responsible for the incidents on March 4, 2011, have been terminated from their positions,” said Attorney General Wilson. “This Order clearly charts a way forward for Chesterfield County, and all others, as to what practices are acceptable under the law in this state.”

According to the Order: all Chesterfield County employees shall strictly comply with §47-3-420 of the S.C. Code of Laws, particularly as to the restrictions concerning the use of shooting of animals as a means of euthanasia, as well as the provisions set forth in the Order for Inspections, Notice, and Record Keeping, etc.

Failure of any employee to comply with the Order may subject the employee to any and all penalties for contempt for failure to follow the terms of the Order and any other penalties provided by law. More specifically, any repeat incidents of animals being euthanized by shooting will require the County to report such incidents immediately to the Attorney General together with documentation supporting the fact that such shootings are authorized by §47-3-420.

If the Attorney General determines that such shooting of animals as a means of euthanasia was not authorized by §47-3-420, the Attorney General may move immediately before the Court for contempt against any and all Defendants and may also proceed to prosecute as warranted. Furthermore, the Attorney General may seek contempt penalties upon information and belief that any provision of the Order is violated.

Read the Order

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