Mt. Pleasant man charged with ill-treatment of animals, torture of nearly 2 dozen dogs

MOUNT PLEASANT, S.C. (WCBD) – The Charleston County Sheriff’s Office arrested a Mount Pleasant man after finding nearly two dozen dogs chained up in unlivable conditions in July.

On July 10, just after 3:30 p.m., Charleston County Sheriff’s Office deputies performed a welfare check on a residence in the 2700 block of Rifle Range Road. 

Upon arrival, they discovered many dogs howling behind the home, chained in unsanitary conditions. The dogs, held outside in the scorching heat, only had access to ‘undrinkable water and inadequate food.’ 

One dog was paralyzed and had not been provided any medical attention or treatment. Many of the other dogs were suffering from skin conditions resulting in hair loss and visible skin irritation.

A custody order for all animals on the property was obtained, and 23 dogs were removed from the property the following day.

Rodney Craig Manigault, 58, has been charged with one count of ill-treatment of animals and one count of ill-treatment of animals and torture.

Manigault was taken into custody on Wednesday, August 14 in Awendaw. He was given a $5,000 bond and released from the Sheriff Al Cannon Detention Center on August 15.