NewsChannel 15 has learned the State Law Enforcement Division is wrapping up its investigation of last month's shooting of as many as 22 dogs by employees at the Chesterfield County Animal Shelter. The four employees remain on administrative leave.
Chesterfield County Sheriff Sam Parker says he expects the findings of the investigation to go to the South Carolina Attorney General's Office in a matter of days.
That office will decide if the employees will face any criminal charges or if this was a policy violation.
South Carolina law (section 47-3-420 animal euthanasia and tranquilization) allows shooting to be used as a means of euthanasia only in an emergency situation to prevent extreme suffering or in which the safety of people or other animal life is threatened or where it is considered necessary by the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources to eliminate or control the population of feral animals.
Last month, an animal rights group dug up the graves on Goodale Road and found the bodies of the dogs.
We will let you know when a decision is reached.
