YORK COUNTY, S.C. - South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley was in York County Monday night, talking about the state's budget, jobs, and the economy. But, because of the FOX Charlotte reporting about the abuse and possibly illegal killings of animals at the Chesterfield County Animal Shelter, many who attended the town hall meeting also wanted to know how serious this investigation was being taken by the governor's office. "We would just like to let the governor know that we hope she supports us in this," said Alicia Schwartz from Rock Hill.

One concern expressed by those who remain passionate and angry over the mistreatment of animals -- the possible involvement of law enforcement in this abuse. "The sheriff is proceeding with an investigation," asked Dorsie Patrick from Lake Wylie, South Carolina sarcastically, "excuse me?" Patrick wonders how this will turn out in the end given that Chesterfield County Sheriff Sam Parker is also part of the investigation. "And the people that work for him and the people that he OK'ed to go massacre and brutality beat these animals and shoot them." Along with Patrick and Schwartz, Gina Pratt and one other friend, have been closely monitoring the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division investigation. "if they've committed a crime, they need to be held accountable. they don't need to be slapped on the wrist," said Pratt.

The first question asked of Governor Haley once she finished her presentation, came from Jackie Kyle, who wondered how moving forward, animals could be better protected. Kyle suggested to the governor that perhaps a task force could have jurisdiction over all local shelters so that animal rights could be protected and the Chesterfield County killings would never happen again. Kyle also told Haley, given the national exposure this story has received, "I am so tired of being embarrassed to be a South Carolinian." The governor seemed to listen and says she's waiting on the investigation and its findings as the attorney general's office and state investigators gather evidence and conduct interviews. Once the investigation has concluded, Governor Haley says the state will proceed from those results. "A lot of laws were broken here, a lot of laws," said Pratt. "And if they're not enforced, then why would anybody be worried."

" When we see something that is wrong, we'll acknowledge it and then move forward and do something about it," Governor Haley told the audience. That seems to ease the minds of some, while raising concerns with others in attendance. Schwartz walked away from the town hall meeting sounding optimistic. "I'm going to have faith in her and I'm going to hope that she does the right thing and that she does investigate." But Kyle wants to see results out of this investigation, rather than more talk without finality. "Nobody seems to care."