Woman battles to reclaim dog
Lexi is a German Shepherd dog whom Crystal Odom would like returned to her. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO
Members of the Darlington County Humane Society (DCHS) met on Monday, July 15th, at the Darlington County Library on N. Main Street in Darlington. PHOTO BY STEPHAN DREW
By Stephan Drew, Editor
For weeks, Crystal Odom of Darlington has been devastated without her dog, Lexi. The 40-pound German Shepherd was taken to the Darlington County Humane Society shelter earlier this year by Odom’s sister, who hoped the shelter could temporarily care for Lexi while the family dealt with a series of health crises. Odom was ill, her 86-year-old mother was sick, and her sister had received troubling health news. During the chaotic time, Odom’s sister stated that she signed paperwork at the shelter without fully understanding its implications.
When Odom came out of the hospital and went to the shelter to retrieve Lexi, she said she was told that her sister had voluntarily surrendered the dog. Odom insists that her sister had no idea she was giving up their rights to Lexi permanently. The Humane Society, however, has remained firm in its stance, stating that the surrender was voluntary and binding.
Nancy and Scott Stroup have rallied to support Odom’s efforts to reclaim Lexi. Nancy Stroup launched a Facebook page and a petition to draw public attention to the case. The petition describes the misunderstanding and the vital role Lexi plays as a beloved animal and friend for Odom. It calls for the Humane Society to reconsider its decision and return Lexi to her rightful home.
“A misunderstanding occurred some months ago involving my beloved emotional support dog, Lexi, and the Darlington County Humane Society,” the petition reads. “My sister, out of genuine kindness, reached out to the local animal shelter for assistance during my time of hospitalization. Unaware of the full implications, she unwittingly signed paperwork surrendering Lexi to the organization. Since my return home, there’s been an ongoing struggle for Lexi’s rightful return and the Darlington Humane Society’s refusal appears unreasonable. Lexi and I need each other. Our bond goes beyond conventional pet ownership.”
At a board meeting on July 15th, Debra Wilkes, Odom’s sister, tearfully apologized to the Humane Society board, explaining she did not understand the paperwork she signed. Through tears, Wilkes begged the board to return the dog to Crystal. Darlington resident Adrian Street also spoke to the board. “I don’t really know her (Odom). I met her when she asked me to sign her petition. But, if giving her her dog back will put an end to this and give her peace, please just give her her dog.”
Nancy Stroup, with Crystal at her side, also spoke at the meeting. She reported that she faced ridicule when trying to volunteer at the Humane Society and has received many negative comments when seeking information about Lexi’s case. She stated her feelings about the process and the meeting recently, “You had several people here begging for answers. And all we got is no comment,” she said, “This does not smell right. Does not sound right. And I’m not gonna say what I think it is. But, I think you all can surely guess.”.
During the meeting, Scott Stroup addressed the DCHS board, “You have the word ‘humane’ in your name. Is this humane?,” he stated. Stroup later said, “They have plenty of dogs that need to be adopted. Here’s a loving, caring family. And this dog needing a permanent home. It already has one. Give it back. Give it back.”
In a statement released on July 17th, the Darlington County Humane Society explained their position: “The dog named Lexi is an approximately forty-pound, adult, shepherd-mix dog who has been brought to the Darlington County Animal Shelter and voluntarily surrendered by her owners multiple times since 2023, with the last surrender being January 8, 2024. In each case, the reason provided for the voluntary surrender was that the owners were unable to handle or care for the dog. At the time of the most recent surrender, Lexi could not be removed from the vehicle without DCHS staff assistance, and there were visible non-bite injuries from efforts to handle Lexi. DCHS policies and procedures exist to prioritize the health and safety of the animals, the individuals in their households, and the general public.”
The statement also addressed financial concerns: “DCHS is a 501c3 non-profit corporation recognized by the State of South Carolina and reports financial data to the secretary of state’s office annually. Most of the funds described in the public financial records are donations or grants with restricted use for the construction of a new Animal Adoption and Education Center in Hartsville. These funds cannot be used for day-to-day operations.”
Odom has provided veterinary records and letters from her doctor to support her case, but her attempts to reclaim Lexi have so far been unsuccessful. The Stroups remain steadfast in their support, vowing not to give up until Lexi is back home with Odom. Due to financial constraints, Odom is exploring legal aid options, unable to afford a lawyer. Stroup stated that she has asked for DCHS medical records or video surveillance footage to prove Lexi’s physical condition and need for medical care upon her arrival at the shelter but states that she has been repeatedly ignored.
The community continues to rally around this issue, sending in letters and making phone calls, emphasizing the emotional bond between her and Lexi, and many questioning the Humane Society’s decision. Odom’s fight for Lexi continues, with supporters determined to see Lexi returned home.