Man arrested after dog thrown from bridge in Spartanburg Co, officials say

SPARTANBURG, S.C. (FOX Carolina) - The Spartanburg County Environmental Enforcement said a man now faces an animal cruelty charge after a dog was thrown from a bridge.

The Environmental Enforcement said on Oct. 3, officers responded to a call of someone tossing a dog from a bridge located on Highway 11 in the Fingerville area.

After speaking with a witness, officials found a man holding a dog in a chokehold.

43-year-old Shanon Lee Cantrell told officials that “witches” told him to throw the dog from a 34-foot bridge twice. He mentioned that he was the owner of the dog and released ownership to the county.

The Environmental Enforcement said officials secured a warrant for Cantrell’s arrest for violating state statute 47-1-40 (B) ill-treatment of animals.

Cantrell is currently being held at the Spartanburg County Detention Center on a $5,000 bond.

Officials said the one-year-old brown-and-white pitbull-type dog did not show any visible signs of injury but was clearly shaken by the incident. He was taken to Greenville County Animal Care for assessment.

“He seems in reasonably good condition,” said Paula Church with Greenville County Animal Care. “We don’t really see a reason why he wouldn’t be able to leave the shelter. So, you know, I think he was lucky that he didn’t sustain any more serious injuries than what he had.”

MORE NEWS: Major lane shift on I-85 S near Pelham Road exit

Copyright 2022 WHNS. All rights reserved.