Authorities have rescued more than 120 living animals and recovered the remains of at least 125 deceased animals from a property in the Wedgefield community, as well as other locations across Georgetown county.
Although the investigation began in June after the department received reports of dog abandonments near a solar farm, Sheriff Weaver said the abuse had been ongoing since 2019.
In late June the department received reports of dog abandonment near a solar farm. This led deputies to the home of Ralph and Kimberly Moody.
During an executed search warrant at the home, deputies encountered an overwhelming smell of decay. Inside the home, they found over 100 dogs and 11 cats in conditions so toxic that several first responders required hospital treatment.
Authorities said the house was filled with kennels and feces. The Sheriff said that investigators also recovered 20 totes and 12 garage bags that contained deceased animals. Weaver says deputies had to strip the house to its studs to rescue one final dog trapped inside the walls.
Ralph and Kimberly Moody were arrested and charged with multiple counts of animal cruelty, abandonment, ill treatment of animals and improper burial of a dead animal.
During a press conference Thursday, Sheriff Weaver said this investigation has shown the department a need for additional resources to animal cruelty. He and animal advocates are asking the Georgetown County Council to fund a full-time animal cruelty investigator that would be housed specifically at St. Frances Animal Center.
The rescued animals were turned over to local animal shelters including St. Francis Animal Center. The center has transferred several animals to rescue groups but at least 60 animals remain in care and are receiving rehabilitation.
Although the rescued animals are not yet up for adoption, St. Frances Animal Center is hosting an "Emergency Empty the Shelter" event this Saturday and Sunday from ten to four to free up space. For more information on the event, you can visit their Facebook page.
