SOUTH CAROLINA—On Monday, Humane World for Animals, formerly called the Humane Society of the United States, assisted the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED) in the rescue of 18 dogs, including two puppies, from alleged dogfighting operations located in Timmonsville and in Seabrook, S.C.
Authorities served search and seizure warrants on two properties early in the morning on Monday, August 11. It was pouring rain as Humane World for Animals arrived on scene at the heavily wooded Seabrook property, where responders found nine dogs chained outdoors with plastic barrels as their only protection from the elements, and a puppy in a pen. Many of the dogs had scars consistent with dogfighting. A male dog was found with a large open wound on his head, swollen with crusty, dried blood, which veterinarians determined upon in-depth exams was caused by a traumatic injury. Another was found to have a painful, infected broken tail, which veterinarians noted appeared to be the result of a bite wound. Experts identified dogfighting paraphernalia, including supplements, treadmills and weighted collars.
On the Timmonsville property, seven dogs and a puppy were found outdoors on heavy chains; another was found in an outdoor kennel. The dogs had a mix of plastic barrels and makeshift wooden structures as their only shelter from the harsh weather conditions. Veterinarians noted a heavy flea infestation throughout the population, along with hair loss and skin infections. All were noticeably underweight and many had scars consistent with dogfighting. Several of the dogs will require x-rays for suspected fractures. Dogfighting paraphernalia was identified on this property as well, including a treadmill and a stand typically used in dogfighting operations to restrain dogs for breeding.
Many of the dogs on both properties enthusiastically greeted responders with wagging tails.
“This scene is becoming all-too familiar. This is the fourth suspected dogfighting property our rescue team has responded to in South Carolina this summer. It was heartbreaking to find injured, scarred dogs languishing on chains, crouching in barrels to seek what little shelter they could from the pouring rain,” said Janell Gregory, South Carolina state director, Humane World for Animals. “Dogs deserve lives of companionship with loving families, a far cry from the brutality they endure in the dogfighting underworld. We are honored to help get them to safety and are grateful to SLED for inviting us to assist them in intervening in this situation.”
“If you are organizing, hosting or participating in dogfighting in South Carolina, you will be held accountable,” said SLED Chief Mark Keel. “And thanks to the continued support from the governor and other state leaders, local law enforcement, as well as community partners like Humane World for Animals, is aggressively investigating dogfighting operations around the state.”
Dogfighting causes severe and often fatal injuries and egregious suffering. The dogs used in organized dogfighting operations are specifically bred and conditioned for fighting, which is only the beginning of a lifecycle of abuse and mistreatment. Around the globe, Humane World for Animals has seen that these spectacles of cruelty have often been found to co-occur with other crimes related to weapons, violence, gambling and illegal drugs.
Typical dogfighting injuries include severe bruising, deep puncture wounds and broken bones. Dogs used in these events often die of dehydration, infection, blood loss, exhaustion or shock, hours or even days after the fight.
These seizures are part of an ongoing investigation by the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division. In South Carolina, dogfighting is a felony punishable by up to five years in prison for fighting dogs or for possessing, training, selling, buying, delivering, receiving or transporting dogs intended for use in dogfighting.
Humane World for Animals transported the dogs to a safe, confidential location where responders and volunteers are providing much needed care and treatment.
This is the sixth case this summer in which Humane World for Animals has rescued dogs from suspected dogfighting situations. Four of the previous cases were also located in South Carolina.
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