Hartwell Man Pleads Guilty in Animal Cruelty Case

A Hartwell man who pleaded guilty to felony animal cruelty will learn his sentence next month.

52-year-old Steven Whitfield pleaded guilty to two counts of felony animal cruelty in Hart County Superior Court on February 27 and no contest to six other felony animal cruelty charges.

He is expected back in court on April 4 to learn his sentence.

In February 2021, Whitfield, his wife Angela, and a friend, Michael Eugene Bryant, were arrested after an investigation by Hartwell Police into allegations of animal cruelty.

Hartwell Assistant Police Chief Stan Sayer said that on December 29th, 2020 police were called to the Whitworth home at 206 Cunningham St. in Hartwell where three dogs were found locked inside metal crates in a back bedroom and left to starve to death. Two of the dogs had died of starvation inside their crates when they were discovered, one was barely alive. All three were living in filthy conditions with no food or water.

Sayer said the couple had a total of eight animals, two dead, others barely alive, living in filthy, neglected conditions.

During their investigation, it was discovered that there were also cats that had been confined to a bathroom for years. One of the cats had to have two eye surgeries to remove ulcers caused by the acid urine-soaked air they had to breathe. Another cat also suffered from health issues.

Sayer said it was the worst case of animal cruelty he had ever seen.

The couple gave no reason for the cruelty.

The surviving cats and one dog were turned over to a local animal rescue group where they recovered and were eventually adopted into loving homes.

Steven Whitfield faces up to 10 years in prison.

His wife Angela was also indicted on eight counts of animal cruelty and is expected to have a status hearing on April 4th.