The month long investigation by the Edgefield County Sheriff’s Office that resulted in the rescue of numerous animals from a residence on Holmes Pond Road has ended in a guilty plea of ill treatment of animals.  Callie Abel, owner of the seized animals, entered her plea last week and officially brought this chapter in the lives of these animals to a close.  With this plea, Ms. Abel will be able to retain custody of three house dogs and one bird pending other requirements are fulfilled.

Among the requirements that must be met in compliance with this plea is that Ms. Abel will have to pay $385 in court fees and donate 30 bales of hay to the Aiken Equine Rescue Center.  She is also required to pay for the neutering and boarding cost associated with the pets she wishes to have returned to her.  In addition, Ms. Abel must remove all outside pens, bones, and debris and must also clean up the interior of the home before said animals will be returned.  She has 30 days to complete this clean-up effort.  If the clean-up and payment measures relating to the animals’ care are not met, Ms. Abel will not regain custody of the stated animals.  These four animals will also be the only ones Ms. Abel will be able to own while she is a resident of Edgefield County.  She can also never operate any animal related business again.

As to the remaining animals confiscated,  Ms. Abel has forfeited her rights to them.  This means that a lengthy court battle over the animals has been avoided, and they can now be placed in facilities for adoption.  It is reported that some of the animals will be placed at the Aiken SPCA for adoption while others will be transported to facilities throughout the southeast.  Anyone interested in adopting one of these rescued animals should contact the Humane Society.