DARLINGTON COUNTY, S.C. (WPDE) - Officials with the Darlington County Humane Society say Veronica Crawford, 29, was found guilty of ill treatment to animals after deputies say she tied a dog up in a bag in June.
Officers say they believe the dog named "Belinda" stayed in the bag for three days.
According to animal control officials, Belinda was emaciated, but was nursed back to good health and was rescued by a group in the Northeast.
A magistrate judge fined Crawford $225 and or serve 30 days in jail.
According to Randy Evans with Darlington County's animal control office, Crawford called on June 11 and asked them to pick up her pet dog. Evans says they told her they didn't pick up pets. She said her husband recently died and needed the dog picked up. He told her they only have one animal control officer for the entire county, but they would try to help her out and pick up the dog.
Evans said Crawford called back and told the secretary that she had the dog in a bag for three days. Evans said they immediately sent the officer to her home to investigate as a possible abuse case.
When the animal control officer showed up at the home and found the dog, he texted a picture of the dog in the bag to animal control and said the sheriff's office needed to come out.
Darlington County deputies responded and arrested Crawford.
Animal control officials say prior to Belinda being placed in a bag, she gave birth to four puppies. The puppies were placed in foster care.
Shelter volunteers say the incident has gained national and international attention. A petition was started asking a judge to sentence Crawford to a stiff sentence.
