If this incident is determined to be an act of animal cruelty, Charleston Animal Society will offer a $5,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and felony conviction of the person or persons responsible. If you have any knowledge about the individual who owns the cage (pictured at right), or if you have any information related to the death of the rabbits, contact Charleston County Consolidated Dispatch at 843-743-7200 and ask for Courtney Bayles, Supervisor of Animal Control for the City of Charleston Police Department.
The City of Charleston Police Department is working closely with Charleston Animal Society to investigate the incident.
“We are deeply disturbed by the discovery of these deceased rabbits,” said Charleston Animal Society Vice President of Operations and Strategy Aldwin Roman, CAWA. “If the police department’s investigation determines that these pet rabbits died as a result of a cruel act, it qualifies as an animal cruelty felony under South Carolina law, and we will work tirelessly to find the individuals responsible for this crime.”
The City of Charleston Police Department will continue to investigate this incident and will provide updates as more information becomes available.