Three dogs in South Carolina have been rescued after being seriously injured in separate shootings since the start of 2022, according to the Orangeburg County Animal Control & Shelter.
Fred, Marshall and Sampson have all survived being shot, the Orangeburg County Animal Control & Shelter said in a news release.
While the dogs were injured in separate incidents, there is no word if the same serial gunman was involved, or if different people pulled the trigger in unrelated shootings.
Now the Charleston Animal Society is offering a $15,000 reward ($5,000 per incident of animal cruelty) for the arrest and felony conviction of the shooter or shooters, according to the release.
“We remain committed to fighting cruelty wherever it exists,” Charleston Animal Society President and CEO Joe Elmore said in the release. “We are angry and we want those responsible for shooting these dogs caught and prosecuted and we fully support law enforcement efforts to bring the guilty parties to justice.”
South Carolina law states that animal cruelty is when a person tortures, torments, needlessly mutilates, cruelly kills, or inflicts excessive or repeated unnecessary pain or suffering upon an animal. If convicted of the felony, the maximum sentence is five years in prison and a $5,000 fine.
Established in 1874, Charleston Animal Society has always tried to prevent cruelty to animals, and it expects to care for more than 15,000 animals this year.
In 2021, Charleston Animal Society was involved in investigating 84 cases of animal cruelty.
Here’s a look at what happened with three of the first cases this year.
Sampson
On Jan. 25, Sampson was shot in the face at point-blank range, according to animal control.
Sampson was found shot on the side of an Orangeburg County road, and his left eye had to be removed because of the damage sustained by the bullet and remaining fragments, according to the release.
Sampson was hospitalized at the Columbia Veterinary Emergency Trauma and Specialty for nine days, and has made “an incredible recovery after treatment,” at the full-service, privately-owned, veterinary hospital, animal control said.
Sampson is now safe at Noah’s Ark Rescue Project and Sanctuary in Upper Uwchlan Township, Pennsylvania.
There was no word on Sampson’s breed.
Marshall
The second victim is Marshall, a 10-month-old puppy who is a boxer mix, according to the release.
The dog, who animal control described as “sweet and friendly,” was shot on a neighbor’s porch Feb. 5, and required a five-hour rear limb amputation at Columbia Veterinary Emergency Trauma and Specialty.
Although Marshall received blood as he experienced complications during surgery, he’s recovering well in a foster home in Columbia, according to the release.
Marshall will be sent to Helping Hearts & Healing Tails Animal Rescue in Stahlstown, Pennsylvania, for permanent placement.
Fred
On Friday, a report of an injured dog lying in a ditch for several days was called into animal control.
Fred, a 3-year-old male boxer mix, was picked up and brought into the shelter, according to the release. Upon unloading Fred, animal control filmed the dog walking on his two front legs with both his rear legs dangling behind him.
Fred was taken to Columbia Veterinary Emergency Trauma and Specialty and remains hospitalized pending bilateral rear limb amputation Monday, according to the release.
If all goes well, Fred, like Marshall, will be sent to Helping Hearts & Healing Tails Animal Rescue in Stahlstown, Pennsylvania, for permanent placement.