I also could not understand why a doctor could not tell a dead dog from an unconscious dog. I’ve been in the presence of deceased humans and dogs, and although I’m not a medical doctor, I did not have any difficulty in determining the status. Ironically, had he not taken the bodies to the vet practice, he would not have been arrested because no one in authority would have known.
I did some googling and easily discovered that these Cavaliers were show dogs, some quite successful in the ring, and found some of the registered names.
http://www.postandcourier.com/article/20140813/PC16/140819755
From the article:
Each felony count is punishable by up to five years in prison and carries a minimum sentence of 180 days.
....left and soon showed up at Veterinary Specialty Care, an emergency veterinarian's office not far from the hospital, according to an incident report.
He opened the back of his Ford and showed the staffers six of the dogs still in their carriers, the employees later told the police. He thought they had passed out, according to the affidavits.
But the workers examined the dogs and told him that they were dead. Rigor mortis had already set in for five of them. The veterinarian staffers directed him to a local crematory, then called the police after he left.
The affidavits identified the nine as: Money, a 5-month-old Blenheim; Lucinda, an 11-month-old black and tan; Drayton, a 2-year-old Blenheim; Madeline, a 4-year-old ruby; Shelby, a 4-year-old ruby; Katie, a 5-year-old ruby; Butler, an 8- or 9-year-old tricolor; Freddie, an 8- or 9-year-old Blenheim; and Willis, the 8- or 9-year-old Blenheim.
They all had experienced "excessive and unnecessary pain and suffering" before they died, which accounted for the felony charges, the police said.
"Of course, it was shocking," said Mitch McCullers, vet at James Island Veterinary Hospital. "We were all very upset."
Though the owner had cooperated with the investigation, Mount Pleasant Detective Logan Fey said during the bond hearing that the town "takes cases of abuse and neglect very seriously."
"If needed," Fey said, "we will prosecute to the fullest extent of the law."