By Jason Evans
Staff Reporter
jevans@thepccourier.com

COUNTY — A man faces charges from the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources in connection with the death of three rabbit-hunting dogs last fall.

According to a DNR news release, three beagles were reportedly shot and killed in the Dacusville area on Nov. 23.

SCDNR officers arrived on scene after the dogs’ deaths were reported and collected evidence, the release said.

Officers arrested Pickens County resident David Andrew Healy on Feb. 3, according to the release.

Healy is charged with three first-offense counts of ill treatment of animals and one first-offense charge of entry on another’s land without permission to hunt, fish or trap, the release said.

The ill treatment charges are felony offenses that each carry a potential penalty of up to five years and a $5,000 fine upon conviction, the release said.

The investigation is ongoing.