2nd suspect in animal mistreatment case turns himself in to Sumter County Sheriff's Office
Eddie Lee Samuel, husband of Elizabeth Taylor Samuel, who turned herself in to Sumter County Sheriff's Office on March 20, turned himself in Friday according to Adrienne Sarvis, public information officer for the sheriff's office.
The married couple has been identified as the suspects accused of throwing four Chihuahuas over the fence at the Sumter SPCA earlier this month, after which two died from being hit by vehicles.
Mr. Samuel, 51, and Mrs. Samuel, 56, both of Queen Street in Sumter, are each charged with four counts of ill treatment of animals, first offense. Mrs. Samuel told law enforcement at the time of her custody that her husband was out of town working and would turn himself in when he returned.
Surveillance video provided by the animal shelter reportedly shows Samuel and another suspect, identified as her husband, drive up to the gate of the business on South Guignard Drive in a sedan about 7:30 p.m. on March 2.
The video shows the two suspects exit the vehicle and at least one of the individuals hurling the dogs over the fence.
The suspect said she and her husband decided to take the dogs to the SPCA because they reportedly escaped from an enclosure at their residence. She said the dogs were tossed over the fence when they realized the organization was closed for the night.
Two of the dogs died soon after they were thrown over the fence when they escaped from the fenced-in area and ran into the roadway.
Cindy Cook, executive director of the Sumter SPCA, said the two surviving dogs, one male and one female, will be available for adoption soon. She said at the time of the incident they are between 2 and 5 years old.
The SPCA is open from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily except Wednesday and Sunday to receive animals. There is a minimal charge to turn an animal in, she said, but most shelters do ask for a small fee.
Investigators were notified by more than one person in the community who identified the couple as the suspects involved in the incident, including an anonymous tip to The Sumter Item.