Man charged with killing 2 dogs, attempted killing of third

A 47-year-old Georgetown man has been accused of killing two dogs and trying to kill another one.

The Georgetown County Sheriff’s Office on Wednesday charged Bobby Joe McConnell with three counts of ill treatment of animals, the three dogs found in Georgetown’s International Paper Canal in July.

Dara, a black Labrador retriever, was found July 2 with her mouth duct-taped closed, front and back paws bound. An open wound on her head caused by a blunt object made it clear someone wanted her to die. Amazingly, Dara survived.

Two more dogs were found dead in the canal July 5. They were bound in a similar fashion to Dara. The smaller of the two had a rope around its neck and was covered with weeds and debris, authorities said.

According to the Sheriff’s Office, witnesses said McConnell talked about how he was going to dispose of the dogs.

Investigators said Dara belonged to McConnell’s daughter, and one of the dead dogs belonged to McConnell’s mother-in-law. The owner of the third dog is still unknown.

The St. Frances Animal Center in Georgetown has raised a $2,500 reward for help in the arrest of the person responsible for the animal cruelty.

The Humane Society and James Island-based Pet Helpers are also working to raise reward money.

McConnell is being held at the Georgetown County Detention Center awaiting a bond hearing.