COLUMBIA, SC (WIS) -
It took a tip from a neighbor for law enforcement to finally charge an Edgefield County woman with animal cruelty.
In South Carolina, the charges are a misdemeanor. Humane Society officials call the state's breeder's laws woefully inadequate.
Veterinarians continue to examine hundreds of dogs seized from breeder Callie Abel. Looking at her website, it appears puppies are hand-raised, running in fields and sleeping in beds.
"Websites can be very misleading," said Ashley Mauceri from the Humane Society. "Don't buy dogs online."
Humane Society officials say the reality was puppies were in rabbit hutches, with matted fur full of flea dirt. It's the perfect case why South Carolina needs breeder regulations.
"Law enforcement can only get involved if animal cruelty laws are being violated and so with regulations, legislation that kind of thing," said Mauceri. "Our hope is that it will prevent animals from having to get to this point."
The Palmetto State has a quail breeders license, but nothing to regulate how dogs should be cared for. That's why Humane Society Officials say an owner has to do their due diligence, which means going in person to the breeders.
"Most responsible breeders will allow you to come see their facility and the parents," said Mauceri.
Humane Officials say most reputable breeders specialize in one or two breeds, those who may have many different breeds may raise some suspicions.
"Do a lot of research and really feel confident that you're not funding an operation like this," said Mauceri.
Humane officials tell us they often get complaints from people who've bought dogs from breeders in South Carolina that haven't been in the best of health.
Humane Society officials say they're not against breeders as long as it's done responsibly and they say if you notice something in your area that doesn't seem quite right with dog breeding they want you to call them.
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