A Centre woman was has been arrested on several counts of Animal Cruelty. At 6:00 pm Tuesday the Cherokee County Animal Shelter was placed under a state of emergency which allows for the implementation of the emergency operations plan.

Dr. Jeremy Deaton, Consulting Veterinarian for Cherokee County Animal Control said that authorities seized 47 animals from a residence in the southern portion of the county. 47 year old Ruth Pauline Staggs of Centre has been booked in at the Cherokee County Detention Center on 47 counts of Animal Cruelty and is currently being held on a bond of $500 per charge totaling $23,500 .

Deputies were dispatched to a residence on County Road 793 in the Rock Run Community on Tuesday afternoon to conduct a welfare check on a lady. Upon their arrival, they discovered multiple animals, including dogs, rabbits, and turtles, that appeared to be malnourished and neglected. Several animals were found to be deceased. Cherokee County Animal Control was called to the scene to assist in retrieving the animals and placing them in shelter. Sheriff’s Office investigators were called to the scene and are continuing to investigate the matter.

Deaton said that the shelter is in need of food for these animals and is asking for the public’s assistance, if you would like to make a donation of small breed dog food and puppy food you can drop it off at the animal shelter located on the Piedmont Highway. If no one is there, Deaton said that you may simply leave it at the front door.

We will have additional details on this story as soon as more information is available.