Horry County Animal Care Center worker fired after allegedly mistreating dogs, rabbits at her home

HORRY COUNTY, S.C. (WBTW) — An Horry County Animal Care Center employee was fired after being hit with multiple counts of mistreatment violations outside of the workplace, officials said Wednesday.

Kaylee Gasque was hired in December and most recently was employed as a kennel attendant. She's facing eight counts of mistreatment under the county's animal care ordinance.

Horry County police launched an investigation after receiving an anonymous tip late Monday regarding "inappropriate conditions" for animals at her home, spokeswoman Mikayla Moskov said in a news release.

Authorities visited the property on Wednesday and confirmed the violations. Gasque was arrested and booked into the J. Reuben Long Detention Center.

Six dogs and two rabbits located on site were seized by police and transported to the county's animal care facility for medical evaluations and care. Officials said there's no indication of animals being mistreated at the center by Gasque.

The investigation is ongoing and more charges are possible.

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Adam Benson joined the News13 digital team in January 2024. He is a veteran South Carolina reporter with previous stops at the Greenwood Index-Journal, Post & Courier and The Sun News in Myrtle Beach. Adam is a Boston native and University of Utah graduate. Follow Adam on X, formerly Twitter, at . See more of his work here .