2 SC men arrested in killing of donkey and llama

WOODRUFF, S.C. (AP) — Spartanburg County deputies have arrested two Woodruff residents they say fired up to 20 shots into a pasture, killing a donkey and a llama.

Sheriff’s Lt. Tony Ivey says 21-year-old Brandon Kelly Thomas and a 17-year-old male have each been charged with two counts of animal torture.

The owner told investigators his neighbor found the animals’ bodies Thursday morning, along with a second donkey that had been shot several times, but survived.

Deputies say the neighbor heard what he first thought were fireworks but then figured out were rapidly-fired gunshots from a car with a loud muffler shortly before 1 a.m. Thursday. He did not realize the animals had been shot until he saw the bodies later in the morning.

It was unclear if the suspects have lawyers.