- South Carolina, USA -
Deputies with the Richland County Sheriff’s Office arrested 47-years-old CAROLINE DAWN PENNINGTON (pictured) after they discovered the bodies of 2 cats and 28 dogs decomposing in cages, lying in their own waste, inside her home on Dibble Lane, Columbia.
Lieutenant Joe Clarke called it “the largest loss of life in one location.”
The discovery occurred on May 22, 2022, while officials were performing a wellness check at PENNINGTON’s residence after a neighbor reported a “smell of death” wafting from the property.
Investigators say the furbabies appeared to have died of starvation and dehydration and were left inside their cages between seven and nine months.
PENNINGTON is a well-known figure in the animal rescue community. She is the CEO and director of a South Carolina animal rescue nonprofit called GROWL, and was also employed by the Kershaw County Humane Society.
On June 3, 2022, the Kershaw County Humane Society wrote in a Facebook post: “Earlier today, a former Kershaw County Humane Society employee was arrested by the Richland County Sheriff’s Department and charged with ill treatment of animals. To be clear, these events did not occur at the Kershaw County Humane Society facility. We were unaware of the former employee’s actions and are truly shocked and heartbroken. Our dedicated staff will continue with our mission to serve the lost and homeless pets of Kershaw County.”
Richland County Sheriff Leon Lott rightfully said: “It’s appalling and it’s heartbreaking. This is someone who was entrusted by the community to care for these animals and find them homes. She betrayed that trust and she betrayed the trust of these innocent animals who relied on her.”
PENNINGTON was taken into custody after she turned herself in on Friday, June 3, 2022.
She was booked at the Alvin S. Glenn Detention Center on 30 counts of ill treatment of animals and bond was set at $75,000.
Online records show she is no longer in custody.
The Richland County Sheriff’s Office is encouraging anyone who made donations to the nonprofit GROWL within the last year to call deputies immediately.
According to WLTX, the sheriff’s office is now investigating PENNINGTON for fraud as well.
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