LAURENS COUNTY, S.C. (WSPA) — Deputies have arrested two people in Laurens County after 43 animals were found living in “deplorable conditions.”
Officials with the Laurens County Sheriff’s Office said deputies arrived at a home on Townsend Street at around 11:30 p.m. on Wednesday, after receiving reports of child abuse and ill treatment of animals.
Inside the home, deputies said dogs were kept inside small crates stacked on top of one another with no food or water.
Officials said the crate trays were full of feces, bile and urine. Many of the dogs, deputies added, were living with skin conditions, fleas and intestinal parasites.
Children were also found inside the home, walking barefoot on floors covered in “feces, urine, and filth.”
Additionally, officials said they were given evidence of unlawful conduct toward a child.
Deputies with Laurens County Animal Control removed 42 dogs and one rabbit from the home.
Candice and Chad Phillips were arrested and charged with:
Candice Phillips:
- Unlawful conduct toward a child
- Ill treatment of animals
Chad Phillips:
- Unlawful conduct toward a child (two counts)
- Ill treatment of animals
Laurens County Sheriff Don Reynolds condemned the Phillips’ alleged actions.
“These despicable people committed these acts against these innocent children and animals,” he said. “To say the conditions were deplorable is an understatement.”
The animals rescued from the home are receiving care from the Carolina Loving Hound Rescue and Lucky Pup Rescue SC.
