Oconee County Teen Charged in String of Animal Incidents, Including Goat Theft and Horse Death
A woman in Oconee County, South Carolina, reported that three of her goats were stolen and her horse of 20 years was found shot and killed at her home. A 14-year-old boy has been charged with ill treatment of animals,…
Birmingham, AL, September 26, 2026 —
Oconee County, SC – Authorities in Oconee County, South Carolina, have charged a 14-year-old boy in connection with several animal-related incidents, including the theft of three goats and the fatal shooting of a horse.
The incidents came to light when a resident of Oconee County reported that three of her goats had been stolen. In addition to the missing livestock, the woman discovered that her horse, a companion of 20 years, had been shot and killed at her residence.
The Oconee County Sheriff’s Office has taken a 14-year-old male into custody. The juvenile faces multiple charges stemming from these and other animal incidents reported in the vicinity. The charges filed against the boy include ill treatment of animals, malicious injury to animals, and stealing livestock.
Details regarding the specific dates of the goat theft or when the horse was discovered deceased were not immediately available. The name of the victim was also withheld, as were the names of the goats and the horse.
The investigation is ongoing, and law enforcement officials are working to determine the full scope of the animal incidents and the boy’s alleged involvement. The sheriff’s office has not released further information concerning the motives behind the alleged crimes or any additional details about the multiple animal incidents referenced in connection with the charges.
Story summarized from the original created by Ashley Listrom, Jordan Gartner on www.wbrc.com, see more information here.
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