Neighbor reacts after more than 100 animals seized from N. Charleston home

NORTH CHARLESTON (WCSC) - The neighbor of a woman who had over 100 animals seized from her property Sunday afternoon said it wasn't the first time the woman has been in over her head with animals.

Seventy-two rabbits, 32 cats, and four dogs were rescued from a home on Selah Street in North Charleston Sunday afternoon.

"When I first saw it, i couldn't believe it - it happened again!" the neighbor, a Northwoods neighborhood resident who wished to remain anonymous, said. She says she was appalled to see dozens of animals removed from her neighbor's property.

They're being cared for at the Charleston Animal Society, where veterinarians say many of the animals are ill or injured.

North Charleston police discovered the problem while responding to a burglary at another home. Then, the Charleston County Sheriff's Office stepped in.

According to the report, the deputy who inspected the area couldn't even finish because the smell of feces was so strong. The report also states that deputies found caged bunnies with no food or water, sick and injured cats in a room infested with flies, blood smeared across the floor and piles of feces.

Her neighbor, who lives a block away, says she first met the woman and her animals four years ago.

"The reason I was down there was because I was looking for my little dog and that's how I came across her," she said.

She says she was shocked to see the backyard full of dogs.

"They were barking, constantly barking, and what I heard in my ear, being I'm an animal lover, was 'help, help, help!', that's the kind of bark," she said.

She says shortly after that, animal control came and took nearly 100 animals.

"Now, four years later it's happened again," she said.

In the sheriff's office initial report, deputies said it appeared to be a woman who was just in over her head.  However, her neighbor, and the Charleston Animal Society, feel she is a repeat offender and should face consequences.

"How in the world can a person have that many animals in cages looking that horrible?" the neighbor said.

The Charleston County Sheriff's Office is still investigating. No charges have been filed against the woman.

Meanwhile, Charleston Animal Society is unable to take any more animals, because of the space and care these animals are needing.

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