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By Anna Harris
Published: Oct. 28, 2024 at 2:15 PM PDT|Updated: 16 hours ago
BERKELEY COUNTY, S.C. (WCSC) – After a Berkeley Co. man’s hunting dog was shot this month, he wants the public to be aware of what protections — or lack thereof — these animals face in South Carolina.
Hunter KJ Rhode says he was out hunting with his dogs Wednesday within the Francis Marion National Forest when his dog Highball chased a buck and crossed onto private property. He says that’s when Michael Trent Williams shot him.
Williams has been charged with one count of shooting and killing a hunting dog and two counts of removing dog collars, according to the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources. He has since been released from jail on bond.
“If he would’ve let my dog go 50 more yards, I would’ve had my hands on him,” Rhode said.
But Rhode isn’t the only person affected. SCDNR says they’ve handed out 48 charges under the statute for dog hunting since Sept. 1, 2023. Four of them were for specifically killing or harming a hunting dog.
READ MORE: Dog owner seeks action for hunting dog laws in SC
A person who does this could face up to a $500 fine or up to 30 days in jail. However, attorney Stephan Futeral says there’s a minimum.
“It’s possible to get charged with it and suffer no penalty,” Futeral said.
He says the results are discretionary.
“You take the same case and put it in front of a different magistrate, well, you may get a completely different outcome,” Futeral said.
For example, Rhode says his friend lost his dog in an extremely similar incident in Sumter County last year. He says the person convicted was only fined $125.
“I feel like it should be the same for any dog, you know?” Rhode said. “No matter if it’s a house dog, a hunting dog, any of it I feel like should be straight up, across the board.”
Futeral says the only way to avoid this from being subjective is for South Carolina to sign a stricter law to make the harsh results mandatory.
“For magistrates to take sort of a hard stance, if you will, and be a little more uniform in their decision-making,” Futeral said.
Rhode says he just wants justice for Highball.
Williams’ court date is set for Dec. 2. For the charges for removing the electronic dog collars, he could also face up to a $500 fine or 10 days in jail for a first offense or up to a $1,000 fine or 30 days in jail for a second.
“They are not just hunting dogs,” Rhode said. “I mean, we care for these dogs every day.”
SCDNR says if anyone suspects hunting laws are being violated to contact them through their 24/7 Operation Game Thief Hotline at 1-800-922-5431 or submit an anonymous tip by texting 847411. Use the keyword SCDNR along with the tip information.
Exposing the Big Game 