Former animal control officer pleads guilty to ill treatment of animals

A former animal control officer pleaded guilty Thursday to ill treatment of animals but will remain employed as an officer with the Gaffney Police Department, according to published reports.

John Fuller, 28, of 503 Beech St., was accused of neglecting his full-grown boxer, which weighed 32 pounds when animal control officers seized it from Fuller's former residence on Oct. 30, 2006.

Fuller pleaded guilty to the charge in Cherokee County Magistrate Court where Chief Magistrate Bart Howell sentenced him to time served.

Fuller was incarcerated for about 30 minutes, according to jail records.

Fuller could have been sentenced to up to 60 days in jail and fined as much as $500.

The S.C. Law Enforcement Division (SLED) investigated the case after information was turned over to it by a local animal rescue group.

SLED charged the officer Thursday morning.

Fuller was formerly employed as a Cherokee County Animal Control officer and has been employed with the Gaffney Police Department for approximately two years.