Summerville man faces animal abuse charges

SUMMERVILLE, S.C. (AP) — A Summerville man has been charged with animal abuse after four underweight horses were found on his property.

Berkeley County officials said Dwight Benjamin McCloud was charged with seven counts Thursday after the animals were found last week.

Two of the most severely underweight horses were turned over to an organization that rehabilitates horses after a volunteer spoke with McCloud.

One of the animals had burns because kerosene was poured on the animal. That’s an old-fashioned way to treat certain conditions on horses, but veterinarians say the kerosene needs to be diluted.

McCloud said he had been feeding the horses as well as deworming them every three months but investigators said the animals needed more food and treatment.

It was unclear if McCloud has an attorney.