SC woman worked in animal rescue. Now she’s charged with 37 counts of mistreating dogs

A South Carolina woman who once ran an animal rescue was arrested Thursday and charged with ill treatment of animals.

Anderson County animal control officers executed a search warrant March 18 and found more than 30 dogs in crates sitting in waste, Shale Remien, spokesman for the Sheriff’s Office said in a news release.

Some had medical issues, he said.

The dogs were turned over to Anderson County P.A.W.S, which could not be immediately reached for comment on the dogs’ conditions.

“The staff is tirelessly working to ensure the dogs can go to foster and/or permanent homes,” Remain said.

Arrested was Sandra Hayes 63, of Belton. She faces 37 charges of felony ill-treatment of animals

The suspect is also known as Sandy Jones, The search took place on Cox Lake Road, where Soft Landings Rescue was once located. The shelter operated between South Carolina and Connecticut, Remien said.

This story was originally published March 29, 2024 at 6:00 AM.