80 animals removed from backyard pensPoor living conditions cited; cat, dogs, rabbits, ducks, goats among animals seized; 27 carcasses also found By Nita Birmingham (Contact)
The Post and Courier
Originally published 12:00 a.m., June 12, 2008
Updated 10:39 a.m., June 12, 2008 HOLLYWOOD — Charleston County authorities acting on a tip from a surveyor removed nearly 80 live animals and 27 carcasses from filthy, makeshift pens behind a house Wednesday afternoon. Richard Gilliard, 64, the owner of the property at 7295 S.C. Highway 162, is facing charges of ill treatment to animals, Sheriff's Maj. John Clark said. Family at the Gilliard home declined to comment. Gilliard told deputies that he sells the animals, Lt. Jack Scarborough said. Scarborough cited the overall poor living conditions of the animals as reason for intervention. Some of the rescued animals went to the Charleston Animal Society's facility on Remount Road. Photo GalleryIll treatment of animals Nearly 80 live animals and 27 carcasses were removed from behind a house in Hollywood on Wednesday afternoon. The Charleston County Sheriff's Office responded to a tip from a surveyor in the case involving charges of ill treatment of animals.
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Charleston County authorities removed 73 living animals and 27 carcasses Wednesday afternoon from backyard pens at 7295 S.C. Highway 162. Property owner Richard Gilliard, 64, is facing charges of ill treatment to animals, the sheriff's office said. Watch » The animals appeared to have been fed, said the society's Director of Outreach and Communications Kay Hyman. "Unfortunately, the living conditions were so bad it was in the animals' best interest to pull them out," she said. The pens stank of feces and were constructed of particle board, wood, pieces of fencing, chicken wire and tin. They were littered with aluminum cans, bricks, an old bicycle, a basketball hoop and other trash. Scarborough said authorities removed guinea hens, goats, chickens, pheasants, quail, white pigeons, ducks, rabbits, dogs and a cat. There were some baby animals in the group. There was some discrepancy Wednesday night on the specific head count of each type of animal because some already had gone to foster homes. Authorities also found the carcasses of 25 quail, one white pigeon and one duck, Scarborough said. Gilliard cooperated with deputies and even helped round up some of the animals, which took most of the afternoon. Animal control officers and members of the Charleston County Volunteer Fire and Rescue Squad helped round the animals into large, blue carriers that were loaded onto trailers around 5:30 p.m. Hyman said the chickens had to undergo testing and shots. A pheasant and the rabbits and ducks were taken to the Charleston Animal Society's facility. "We put a big baby pool in here and they are in heaven. It's really good to see," Hyman said. The fine for ill treatment of animals is $1,087 for each species, Clark said. Authorities found at least nine kinds of animals on the property, he said. The total number of citations issued to Gilliard wasn't available Wednesday night. The Sheriff's Office also will be investigating whether Gilliard could legally sell the animals, Scarborough said. Reach Nita Birmingham at 937-5433 or nbirmingham@postandcourier.com. |
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Comments
This article has 20 comment(s)
Posted by Early on June 12, 2008 at 8:09 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Now what will we have for dinner?
Posted by Tammie on June 12, 2008 at 8:27 a.m. (Suggest removal)
What the hell is wrong with these people?
*spanks Early* Dude, you're wearing my belt out.
Posted by Larz13 on June 12, 2008 at 9:08 a.m. (Suggest removal)
A sad day for all Chinese restaurants in the lowcountry.
Posted by Early on June 12, 2008 at 9:34 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I'm surprised he didn't get a Mexican raid long ago!
Posted by Early on June 12, 2008 at 9:35 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Tammie, spanks early? I like that!
That kinda talk is probably how you got pregnant:)
Posted by wpc3iop on June 12, 2008 at 9:54 a.m. (Suggest removal)
How much did this cost the taxpayers? We can't get a break...
Posted by bigwhip on June 12, 2008 at 9:54 a.m. (Suggest removal)
This sorry representation of a human being needs to be forced to re-enact Alec Guiness' role in "The Bridge Over The River Kwai". Be in a tin shed in the sun for hours.
Posted by Tammie on June 12, 2008 at 10:54 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Lmao @ Early!!
Posted by Girleygirl on June 12, 2008 at 11 a.m. (Suggest removal)
He was trying to build an Arc.
Posted by scnative4ever on June 12, 2008 at 11:37 a.m. (Suggest removal)
TP,
please explain how a dog park would have prevented this?
Posted by Charles_Town on June 12, 2008 at 11:57 a.m. (Suggest removal)
SCNative... I am pretty sure it was sarcasm.
Posted by Early on June 12, 2008 at 12:09 p.m. (Suggest removal)
TP, that was halarious!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Posted by devster on June 12, 2008 at 12:35 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Great comment Girleygirl, and you, too, TP.
Posted by Tammie on June 12, 2008 at 1:15 p.m. (Suggest removal)
TP, he needed a good spanking.
Posted by Tammie on June 12, 2008 at 1:30 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Lmao @ TP, I am not the only one that spanks him. Today was just my turn.
Posted by Girleygirl on June 12, 2008 at 1:39 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Tammie like to spank folks she's a little prego dominatrix. She got her husband dressed up as a horse while she beats him with a whip.
Posted by grannyofsix on June 12, 2008 at 2 p.m. (Suggest removal)
OMG !!!! you are all too much today i am going back on my swing
Posted by Tammie on June 12, 2008 at 2:04 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Lmao@ Girley
Posted by scnative4ever on June 12, 2008 at 2:31 p.m. (Suggest removal)
wonder how long it will take PETA to act on this?
Posted by katrenavantassle on June 12, 2008 at 3:37 p.m. (Suggest removal)
OMG, I think someone has gotten into grandpa's punch on here today... lol!
So sad for these animals that some will be put to sleep forever...wish I could say that for the people who mistreat them. It is up to nosy neighbors to report animal cruelty when they know it is happening!! Poor Kay already has her hands full at the shelter now...and then this comes along.
Please donate to the Charleston Remount Road Animal Shelter!!! They need help so bad. The wonderful staff there are so loving and caring to all the animals. I took my dogs there for rabies shots a month ago and they were just the nicest people to deal with there. Donate now!!!