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Jennifer Hunnicutt: Woman left more than a dozen animals to die at South Carolina property

The dead animals were more or less decomposed or skeletal, as per authorities

OCONEE COUNTY, SOUTH CAROLINA: Jennifer Hunnicutt, a Seneca resident, was taken into custody after she left more than a dozen animals to die at her South Carolina property. Investigators managed to save several animals, but 15 creatures were found dead at the location as per police records. Animal Control deputies learned about the case last month when a welfare check reported that a goat got trapped in a fence and multiple animals were left abandoned at the property.

As per Oconee County Sheriff’s Office, the 36-year-old could not be found at her Alexander Road property for close to two months. “After receiving no response after knocking on the front door of the residence, the Animal Control Deputies observed two goats that were deceased on the property,” said the sheriff’s office. Once the search operation was executed, it only got worse, “Four dogs, one cat, one Bearded Dragon Domesticated Lizard, one chicken and eight goats” — and six other — “one ram, one ewe, and four Pygmy Goats” — were found alive. The dead animals were more or less decomposed or skeletal, as per Law & Crime report.

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'Tortures, torments, needlessly mutilates, cruelly kills'

Jennifer Marie Hunnicutt, now faces 15 felony animal torture charges, because of misdemeanor abandonment and ill-treatment (overworking). The authorities are still investigating the reason why she abandoned the animals. “Tortures, torments, needlessly mutilates, cruelly kills, or inflicts excessive or repeated unnecessary pain or suffering upon an animal or by omission or commission causes these acts to be done, is guilty of a felony and, upon conviction, must be punished by imprisonment of not less than one hundred eighty days and not to exceed five years and by a fine of five thousand dollars,” states South Carolina Law.

'Charged with depriving the animals of necessary sustenance'

Hunnicutt bailed out of prison last Thursday, April 6, after paying a $102,975 surety bond and being charged on 35 total counts, 15 of them felonies. The sheriff’s office said, “Based on evidence gathered during the investigation, Hunnicutt was charged with depriving the animals of necessary sustenance and/or shelter, or by omission, which led the death of some of the animals." Adding, “Hunnicutt was also charged with abandoning some of the animals without securing another owner or providing the necessities of life.”