A tragic situation is unfolding this week, this time coming out of Marion County, South Carolina where Marion County Code Enforcement Officer Marion Richardson has been accused of multiple counts of animal cruelty.
Denise Bitz, Founder and President of Brother Wolf, posted on their website Friday
“We are pleased to learn that County officials are taking swift action to investigate this case,” says Denise Bitz, Founder and President of Brother Wolf. “We are petitioning the County to charge the officer to the fullest extent of the law. If this is all true, then Richardson has cruelly massacred possibly many hundreds of innocent cats and kittens and lied to shelter officials to conceal his actions. That would make him a serial offender, fully aware he was breaking the law. That’s why we are petitioning the county to seek the maximum penalty of five years imprisonment and $5,000 fine.”
Richardson took 14 cats from the Marion County Animal Shelter on Wednesday, stating he was taking them to a farm to be used in vermin control. The cats were later found dead. Richardson has been fired for his actions by County Administrator Tim Harper.
Unfortunately, Richardson has been taking cats for several months now, and it’s believed hundreds of cats and kitten may have been shot to death. All of these were friendly cats who only needed a place to go so they wouldn’t be killed at the shelter. Did he just use them as target practice? There were some who wondered why a farm would need that many cats, but no one thought this would be the outcome.
Marion County Chapter Manager for Brother Wolf Animal Rescue, Susan Floyd said they work closely with Marion County Animal Shelter. They’re horrified at what has happened. Floyd stated
“I know he took several dozen cats and kittens in just the past month alone. How many more have suffered this man’s cruelty?”
South Carolina has a Felony Cruelty statute, 47-1-40 (B), that states, “Whoever tortures, torments, needlessly mutilates, cruelly kills, or inflicts excessive or repeated unnecessary pain or suffering upon any animal or by omission or commission causes the acts to be done for any of the offenses is guilty of a felony and, upon conviction, must be punished by imprisonment of not less than one hundred eighty days and not to exceed five years and by a fine of five thousand dollars.””
This situation is made worse in that some county officials may have known about Richardson shooting the cats.
Thom Berry confirmed the SC Law Enforcement Division (SLED) has been asked to conduct an investigation at the request of the Marion County Sheriff’s Office and the Solicitor’s Office. He was an employee of the sheriff’s department before taking the job of Code Enforcement Officer.
A list of Marion County government offices can be found here. Updates will be posted on the Brother Wolf Animal Rescue Facebook page.
Elisa
FYI It is 100% illegal to kill a cat if you are not a licensed veterinarian. No matter where you live! I hope you are tracked down soon. Hopefully by someone like me.
I am with you on that Valorie and the first bang would be directed at this stupid troll who goes by a plethora of aliases one of which is Woody or Woodsman001. He sometimes takes on female personas. Don’t let him upset you. He wants that. Sorry you had to deal with him. He is banned by the way. I have banned him around 100 times.
Do you know how many chickens the barn owl killed? ALL OF THEM.
Your level of ecology and biology are lacking Mr. Real World.
Otherwise you would know that eradication of one species leads to an imbalance of others.
In my opinion, the world would be a much better place if I could BANG BANG BANG bury all the stupid vermin from the most invasive species of them all — HUMANS!
Thanks Elisa. They are in the business of upholding the law. This makes the story all the more poignant.
Only reason I posted his comment is people need to be aware of people who are looking for farm cats for their property. They may actually want to shoot them for sport. Woody actually made a valid point on that. Which is rare for him 🙂
I believe they make sure properties are safe and do inspections and such checking for safety issues. I know in my area you have to have a working smoke detector before electricity can be turned on.