Antifreeze Poisioning of Cats

My question involves criminal law for the state of: South Carolina

I heard a man talking about stray cats in his neighborhood and how they are destroying gardens. He said he was putting out containers of antifreeze to get rid of them. I thought this was pretty cruel even though I don't like the animals. Is this legal if one does this on their own property?

No, of course it's not legal. See S.C. Statutes, Sec. 47-1-40.

Turn him in to your local ASPCA/Humane Society.

Do not turn him in. That's a dick move. You overheard a guy talking about doing something. Do you know for sure that he has anti-freeze out and is plotting to murder stray cats? Or was he just pissed off and venting? Who is this man? Just some random guy you overheard in public somewhere? Ah yea, the "see something, say something" mentality. There was a time when people didn't stick their noses in everyone elses' business. Or, if you are really concerned, why not agree to help him catch/release these strays? You can buy all the traps for him.

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Quoting PADriver13

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There used to be a time when wile animals were destroying your gardens and crops that you could just take care of the problem with a 12 gauge.

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And then we had the 20th century, and now we have the 21st century. :friendly_wink:

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Quoting PADriver13

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Do not turn him in. That's a dick move. You overheard a guy talking about doing something. Do you know for sure that he has anti-freeze out and is plotting to murder stray cats? Or was he just pissed off and venting? Who is this man? Just some random guy you overheard in public somewhere? Ah yea, the "see something, say something" mentality. There was a time when people didn't stick their noses in everyone elses' business. Or, if you are really concerned, why not agree to help him catch/release these strays? You can buy all the traps for him.

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He is breaking the law. He is killing animals in a horrible manner. The animals suffer before they die, if they are lucky enough to die after it. It is also indiscriminate. It does not differentiate between a stray and a local animal that is thirsty. OP can certainly offer alternatives but if OP is able to verify this is occurring, the police need to be informed.

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He is breaking the law.

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Oh, but you're supposed to mind your own business! Oy.

Yes, he absolutely needs to be turned in to the authorities. It's not just strays he's killing - he's posing a danger to songbirds and "escapees" (pets who have gotten out).

Animal cruelty officers don't just bash down your door and haul you off to the hoozegow. They INVESTIGATE. In my area, if you're busted putting out antifreeze, they will inform you that it's illegal. A lot of people don't know that it is. If you're caught doing it again, though...well, that's when you're going to face charges, as is right and proper.

Well I can see the judge, jury, and executioner all frequented this forum. Somebody posts on an internet forum "i heard some guy say xyz" - doesn't mean that xyz actually took place. Freeman "he is breaking the law and killing animals in a horrible manner"... really? Did you witness this? Did the OP witness it? I've heard people walking down the street say "I'm gonna kill that guy". That's why I ask who the guy is. Is he your neighbor? A close friend? Some random guy standing behind you at Dunkin Donuts? What are you going to say when you call the police? "Hi officer, I heard some guy say he was going to poison cats with antifreeze". "Ok ma'am. Who is this man?" "I don't know". "Ma'am, where did the alleged crime take place?" "I don't know". The OP doesn't know who the guy is or have any relationship to him and can't take any action based on a single sentence that she overheard.

We were told that the man was actively poisoning cats. If you want to start a debate, I suggest finding the social forums.

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Quoting PADriver13

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The OP doesn't know who the guy is or have any relationship to him and can't take any action based on a single sentence that she overheard.

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You base that on what? You can't even decide what gender OP is. OP could be being circumspect, we don't know. The person could be someone they now.

I guess I should have put my qualifier about if the OP confirms it is happening at the beginning instead of the end. Would that have been more to your liking.

The OP is perfectly within their rights to report a possible crime for investigation.

No, it's not accidental. It's the result of an intentional act on the part of the alleged perpetrator. The perpetrator is free to raise that as a defense in court but I don't see it flying, unless the jury is made up of animal haters.

As to the laws, I don't know what NC's laws are on hazardous waste. Even if it isn't illegal to leave open containers of hazardous waste laying around your yard, that doesn't mean it's not a violation of animal cruelty laws to do it if you are trying to kill animals.

Wow! I guess I opened a good size can of worms. I don't know his name but I see him a couple of times a week at a local restaurant. I was not sure that doing this on your own property would be illegal. I had actually never heard about it before this. When I was growing up I knew people who would just pop them in the behind with a BB gun or .22.

if an endangered or otherwise federally protected migratory bird were to die from such a trap, the person who set it could be facing federal criminal charges if caught.