Pet Safari store owner Renee James withdrew her motion to have the 146 dogs taken from her home returned — and some of the dogs are now already up for adoption.
Horry County Police charged James with violation of the county’s ordinance to provide proper care and treatment of animals. She originally gave up ownership of the dogs, but then decided she wanted them back. Dog adoptions were halted after James filed a motion against Horry County to have the dogs returned.
Around 5 pm the Horry County Animal Care Center announced that some of the 146 dogs are now ready for adoption.
In a court hearing Wednesday, her attorney James Dotson announced she was withdrawing her motion. “This lady is a well known well respected breeder for the last ten years, best place to buy dogs in this county and she’s been run out of business,” stated Dotson.
Several animal supporters attended the hearing and applauded the outcome.
“I think that it’s good that she signed over all of the dogs. I feel that there probably should be stricter punishments for things like this because we should have an example to our community that this is unacceptable,” said Shannon Prouty, All 4 Paws.
Horry County Animal Care Center Operations Manager Kelly Bonome said she’s excited find the dogs a “forever home.”
James received $445 fine for violating the county’s ordinance, which she still has to pay. If she had she taken the dogs back, Bonome said she would’ve had to pay the shelter restitution costs, about $14,000.
James told News 13 Pet Safari will remain open for business.
If you are interested in adopting visit the Horry County Animal Control Center at 1923 Industrial Park Rd, Conway, SC 29526 or call (843) 915-5172.
You can also visit the center’s Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Horry-County-Animal-Care-Center/232335916808165
