HORRY COUNTY -- Animal rights group People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals is asking what's taking so long for a woman charged with ill treatment of animals to appear in court.
Last March, Horry County seized more than 237 cats from Elizabeth Owen, owner of Sacred Vision Animal Sanctuary, after an undercover investigation by PETA. Later, the county euthanized 107 of those animals for medical reasons.
Solicitor Jimmy Richardson says the next trial date is set for April 16 in Magistrate Court in Myrtle Beach. It's the third trial date set for Owen.
Richardson says PETA is correct that there have been delays. He says the previous solicitors assigned to the case are now in private practice, so new ones had to be assigned. Then, Richardson says Owen's lawyer, Gregory McCollum, objected to the last hearing being held in Conway.
Because of the nature of the case, PETA wants county officials to check on the 30 cats that were allowed to stay in her care after being checked out by a veterinarian. "The judge ruled that those were her cats," adds Richardson. There isn't an investigation into how those animals are being cared for.
Owen faces up to 30 days in jail and a fine.
