After Malnourished Horse Dead Horse Dumped, Tips Lead To 2 Arrests

Authorities in South Carolina say two arrests have been made after a malnourished horse was found deceased and discarded on the side of the road over the Fourth of July weekend.

The Chesterfield County Sheriff’s Office Animal Control Division began investigating after a deceased horse was found July 4 on Harden Swamp Road near Cheraw. The chestnut mare was estimated to be in her late teens or twenties, and appeared to be “severely malnourished.”

Drag marks on the horse’s body led investigators to believe she was “dumped” at that location after she died. Based on witness statements, the horse was likely dumped there sometime after 11 p.m. on July 3.

The sheriff’s office asked for tips from the public, and in an update on July 8 said those tips helped them identify two suspects.

Lorenzo Moore of Chesterfield was arrested on charges of ill treatment of animals in general – torture; littering exceeding 500 pounds; and failure to bury/burying improperly a dead animal.

Eddie Wayne Johnson of Chesterfield was arrested and charged with littering exceeding 500 pounds and failure to bury/burying improperly a dead animal.

“The tips received from the public played a critical role in identifying those responsible and ultimately led to these arrests. This case could not have been solved without the assistance of our community,” the sheriff’s office said.

The investigation remains ongoing.

“The abuse, neglect, and cruel treatment of animals have absolutely no place in Chesterfield County. Those who commit these senseless acts should know that this Sheriff’s Office will pursue every available investigative lead and work tirelessly to hold offenders accountable,” said Sheriff Cambo Streater. “I also want to personally thank the citizens of Chesterfield County whose willingness to come forward with information helped bring this investigation to a successful outcome.”