2 of 4 dogs dead after SC woman tosses them over fence at SPCA

SUMTER, S.C. (FOX 46 CHARLOTTE) - A woman has been charged after she tossed four Chihuahuas over a fence at a South Carolina SPCA facility when it was closed. Two of the dogs got out of the fenced area and ended up being killed. 

Surveillance video shows Elizabeth Taylor Samuel, 56, drive up tot he gate of the property on South Guignard Drive with her husband around 7:30 p.m. on March 2. According to the Sumter County Sheriff's Office, the two then get out of the car and throw the dogs over the fence.

Samuel turned herself into the Sheriff's Office after warrants were put out for her arrest. She says her husband also plans to turn himself in early next week when he returns from working out of town. 

She told deputies she decided to take the dogs to the SPCA because they repeatedly escaped from an eclosure at their home. She said they decided to toss the pups when they realized the organization was closed for the night. 

Two of the dogs died sometime later on after they got out of the fence and ran into the roadway. Neighbors in the community helped to identify Samuel and her husband as the suspects in the incident. 

“People need to realize that they cannot treat animals any kind of way,” Sumter County Sheriff Anthony Dennis said. “They sign up to take care of these animals when they get them and they are in charge of the animals’ health until they are given another proper home.”