100-plus birds were taken from a Johns Island resident charged with violating animal laws. Charleston County Sheriff's deputies seized more than 100 roosters and hens and arrested a Johns Island man Thursday for what they say was ill treatment toward the animals, officials said.
About 1:30 p.m., deputies and Charleston County animal control responded to 3311 Fickling Hill after a tip from a member of the community that chickens were being housed in poor conditions, according to Capt. Dana Valentine, spokeswoman for the sheriff's office.
Deputies found the animals, along with numerous chicks and eggs, according to Alan Berger, executive director of the John Ancrum Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.
The chickens had no food, some were severely emaciated, and their water was black and moldy, Valentine said.
"The conditions were very bad," Berger said.
Antonio Andreas, 41, was arrested and charged with 56 counts of violation of an animal care ordinance, according to Valentine.
Several of the roosters had their combs and spurs cut off, which is indicative of cockfighting, Valentine said.
"However, we're not saying at this time that any cockfighting was going on there or that Andreas was involved in it," she said.
SPCA officials and animal control officers spent nearly four hours rounding up the birds and securing them in animal carriers, Berger said.
SPCA officials had not yet had time to examine all of the chickens for health problems, Berger said, so their immediate condition was unknown.
They were not sure how many chicks or eggs had been recovered.
"It's hard to tell what will be their fate," Berger said.
"We would like to adopt out the animals." Andreas will have a bond hearing at 11 a.m. today, Valentine said. Case Updates| On April 29, 2004, 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 | Source: JASPCA - August 2004
Update posted on Dec 26, 2005 - 9:04PM |
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