Dog killer fined $132,000

SC landowner shot another hunter’s dog

William Gray of Sumter, SC has been ordered to pay a total of $132,000 for killing Annabelle, the hunting dog of Ernest Causey. The South Carolina Third Judicial Circuit found Gray intentionally killed Annabelle, a 7-year-old female Hunter Horn Fox Hound, on Sept. 23, 2023.

The court also found that Gray intentionally inflicted emotional distress upon Causey and his family after killing Annabelle.

Evidence in the civil trial included Gray’s posts on Facebook shortly after he shot Annabelle, twice, from his hunting stand. One of those posts, which took place days after the incident, was Gray admitting to killing the dog, shooting at (but missing) another dog, then apparently threatening to do it again if given the chance.

After making those posts, Gray also made another one directed toward Ashley Causey Williamson, the daughter of Ernest Causey and the wife of Garrett Williamson, who was also present on the day of the incident. In that post, Gray said:

“And your father owes me $10 for the ammo wasted disposing of his or your dog. You can send the check to Lewis Warr and he will get it to me. Thanks in advance.”

Initially, Gray was given a $125 fine by the local game warden. Annabelle’s family tried through several means to get stronger punishment for Gray through Sumter County and through SCDNR, but they said nothing more was ever done. They decided to file a civil suit while also awaiting a trial date for a criminal case against Gray. That civil suit went to trial on Feb. 3, 2025 where the Honorable Charles J. McCutchen presided.

Gray showed up for the original hearing time of 9:30 a.m., and requested a continuance until 3 p.m., which the judge granted. However, Gray failed to show up, so the trial went on without him.

McCutchen took all the evidence into consideration, including Annabelle’s initial cost of $800, the plaintiff’s valuation of $10,000 for Annabelle, the dog’s capability of producing at least four more litters of puppies with an average of seven puppies per litter, with a valuation of $400 per puppy.

With these numbers in mind, the judge awarded actual damages of $22,000, along with punitive damages in the sum of $110,000 for Gray’s reckless and willful conduct and for the harassment toward Causey’s family. This brought the total fine to $132,000.

“The Defendant’s actions show a clear indifference to the rights and well-being of others. The Defendant clearly knew his conduct was wrong, yet he committed it anyhow,” McCutchen stated in the decision.

Aside from the monetary punishment, McCutchen said “Furthermore, Defendant’s actions could lead to a felony for the cruel killing of an animal.”

Causey and Williamson have vowed to bring Gray to trial again, in criminal court, where they aim to see him convicted of that felony.