HORRY COUNTY, S.C. (WPDE) — A Myrtle Beach man and woman were arrested Tuesday following an investigation into the neglect of two dogs.
Brandon P. Donaldson, 30, was charged with two counts of animal ordinance violations, while Keyera Lynn Nutaitis, 31, was charged with two counts of failing to provide proper care and treatment, according to booking records.
Officers responded to a complaint on Oct. 30 regarding animal abuse at a residence on Ivystone Drive. The two dogs, a male named Toast and a female named Kiba, were reported to a third party who noted they were emaciated, with ribs and hip bones clearly visible.
According to the affidavit, Nutaitis told a witness she was “running” from a domestic situation and needed a place for her dogs. The witness later contacted police over concerns about the dogs’ condition. Warrants state the dogs were reportedly not given food or water and were so hungry they attempted to eat from the garbage.
Documents indicate that Nutaitis claimed she had been arrested for domestic violence in early October and left the dogs in Donaldson’s care. Investigators allege Donaldson intentionally failed to feed the dogs, keeping them kenneled for weeks. Both dogs had been under their care for about three months and were adopted from the Horry County Animal Care Center at the end of July.
Donaldson and Nutaitis are being held at the J. Reuben Long Detention Center on $2,000 bond each.
