85 dogs living in squalor seized from two SC homes, couple arrested, home condemned

Dozens of dogs were seized Tuesday from a South Carolina home deputies described as being in complete disarray with an overwhelming smell of feces.

Two residents of the home in Hickory Tavern were arrested.

Laurens County deputies said they heard multiple dogs barking when they arrived. Once they donned protective suits and respirator masks, the officers went inside and found 48 dogs in the living area, “with many hiding inside furniture, walls, and cabinets.”

Two puppies were dead and other puppies were in poor condition, deputies said.

The dogs had no food and their water was dirty, according to the cops. Fifteen more dogs were found without food and clean water in other parts of the house, deputies said.

“Some dogs were suffering from skin irritant issues and impaired vision,” the sheriff’s office said in a news release.

Officers learned the couple had another home in Laurens, where animal control staff found 20 more dogs surrounded by feces.

Anderson County PAWS and Charleston Animal Society retrieved 85 dogs in all and assessed their condition.

The dogs were taken to Anderson County for evaluation and medical care.

Allen Earl Bridwell Jr. and Kimberly Hockenberry Bridwell, both of Laurens, were charged with multiple counts of ill treatment of animals in general, torture and ill treatment of animals.

The Hickory Tavern house was condemned by building inspectors.

Laurens County Sheriff Don Reynolds praised the officers and animal welfare groups who responded.

“The despicable conditions they endure to rescue these poor animals out of such filth is beyond understanding or explanation,” he said. “They are warriors for these defenseless animals and I have humble admiration for them.”

This story was originally published November 4, 2021 at 8:52 AM.