The Charleston Animal Society is hosting a press conference addressing issues related to animal cruelty.

In North Charleston, S.C., the Charleston Animal Society passionately calls upon individuals to take a stand against animal cruelty. Shockingly, since the beginning of 2022, CAS has reported over 200 incidents of cruelty toward animals statewide. One distressing case involved a puppy whose paws were tragically screwed to a door.

“Since January, we’ve witnessed 207 animals subjected to cruelty, abuse, and neglect across Charleston County and our entire state. This disturbing trend is escalating,” shared Joe Elmore, CAWA, CFRE, President, and CEO of the Charleston Animal Society. “We urgently need our community’s support to put an end to cruelty once and for all. It’s not just about concern for animals; studies indicate a connection between animal cruelty and human violence, putting everyone at risk.”

Law enforcement is expected to participate in the upcoming event.

CAS highlighted recent incidents in the area:

    • A heart-wrenching case involved a dog discovered with a broken leg and shot in the head, left to perish in a ditch along Highway-174 in Adam’s Run earlier this week. The Charleston County Sheriff’s office is investigating.

Lowcountry-specific cases:

    • A man caused the death of a puppy by throwing it from a balcony.
    • A dog suffered chronic abuse, allegedly leading to its death by a family member. Read More: CAS: More than 85 animals found living in walls, covered in feces at Laurens County home

Statewide incidents:

    • A dog in Elloree, SC, seemingly stabbed.
    • Three separate dogs with gunshot wounds found in Orangeburg County.
    • 150 dogs rescued from a Pickens County puppy mill.
    • 49 cats seized in a hoarding case in Colleton County.

    • A Clarendon County man killed a hound dog by throwing her in a hole and shooting her.
    • A Union County man tortured a dog by fastening its paws to a wall. Read More: Charleston Animal Society assists with largest animal cruelty operation in state history

CAS announced a special opening ceremony for Celebrity Paws in the Park on Saturday, March 19, at Riverfront Park in North Charleston, where all 207 animals will be commemorated. The public is welcome to attend this free event, beginning with a bell ringing in their memory at 9:30 a.m.

Proceeds from the event, with free admission, will support CAS’s efforts against animal cruelty.