FOX Carolina 21Officers: Spartanburg woman put dog in trash

An official with Spartanburg County Animal Control said a Spartanburg woman was arrested Thursday after she tried to throw her live dog away.

Lt. Jamie Nelson with the Spartanburg County Office of Environmental Enforcement said they were called to the Freys Drive residence after a local trash compacter company found the 8-year-old black and white Shih Tzu dog inside the homeowner's trash can that was out for pickup.

Nelson said the employee picked up the trash can and saw the dog inside the can under some trash. The employee went to speak with the homeowner who at first denied putting the dog inside the can but eventually admitted to it, Nelson said.

"Basically, she decided she needed to get rid of the dog, and the best idea she had was to put it in the trash can," said Nelson.

Animal control was notified and while they were en route to the house, Nelson said the homeowner put the dog inside a trash bag then put the bag in the trash can under other bags.

The trash collector found the dog and gave it to animal control, where it was taken to the Greenville County Animal Care, Nelson said.

Nelson said the homeowner, 58-year-old Nancy Smythe, turned the dog over to Spartanburg County. Smythe was arrested and charged with one count of animal torture.

According to Nelson, the dog has a skin disorder, and other than the traumatic experience, it was otherwise alright.

"Seventeen years...never had a case of someone putting a dog in a trash can," said Nelson. "Had cases of abandonment, had cases where a lady has burnt and hung the animal, this one is a new one."

The dog will be held at Greenville County Animal Care for Spartanburg County for five days before it is turned over to the control of Greenville County.

Susan Bufano with Greenville County Animal Care urged people to report abuse and take animals to the shelter before someone lets them suffer and die.

Copyright 2012 FOX Carolina (Meredith Corporation). All rights reserved.