On Sept. 23, 2023, William Gray of Sumter, SC said he was hunting on his property when he shot and killed a neighbor’s hunting dog that was wearing a tracking color and tags. Then he posted the following on his Facebook page:
So, whose dog was it? It was Ernest Causey’s and Garrett Williamson’s dog AnaBelle. Williamson said when the SCDNR Game Warden showed up, he seemed sympathetic to Gray. Williamson also seems to have some history with this particular Game Warden.
“He (the Game Warden) has voiced his distaste about dog hunting and houndsmen for years now,” said Williamson.
Here is the Williamson’s side of the story, just as he posted it on Facebook:
Hunting with dogs is somewhat controversial, with landowners calling for their property to be respected, and dog hunters often stating that they can’t control where their dogs run. Either way you look at it, in the state of South Carolina, killing a hunting dog, even when it’s on your property, is illegal. And removing the collar of a hunting dog is illegal as well.
Let’s take a look at exactly what South Carolina law says concerning hunting dogs:
We’re not lawyers, but from what we see reading these laws, Gray should have been charged more than $125, and should spend a minimum of 30 days in jail as well.
What do you think should happen in this case?