Chained, Starved, and Scarred: 160 Dogs Freed from Brutal Fighting Ring

Dogs found chained, starved, and scarred

According to the State Law Enforcement Division (SLED), officers discovered dogs tethered with 12-pound logging chains, many visibly scarred from previous fights. Some were left without food or water, and one puppy was found dead. At another property, a puppy was discovered in a crate, sitting in its own feces, alone and emaciated.

One man was also charged with child endangerment after authorities found unsecured firearms in an unlocked closet accessible to his daughter.

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Drugs, cash, and firearms also seized

In addition to the dogs, law enforcement recovered $69,700 in cash, 55 firearms, and large quantities of drugs including:

• 17 pounds of marijuana
• 11 grams of crack cocaine
• 1 gram of cocaine
• 2 grams of ketamine
• 990 fentanyl pills
• 2,266 ecstasy pills

The arrests included charges ranging from animal fighting and ill treatment of animals to drug trafficking and unlawful child endangerment.

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A long-standing issue, and a renewed fight

Governor Henry McMaster, who has been involved in anti-dogfighting initiatives since 2004, joined SLED Chief Mark Keel and other officials at a press conference on April 7 to announce the bust. Forensic veterinarian Jennifer Bonovich called the dogs' conditions a "fate worse than death," describing broken bones, starvation, and brutal violence inflicted for profit.

Since the creation of SLED’s dedicated dogfighting unit in 2023, the team has rescued 492 dogs and arrested 116 people.

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“Cost of Care” law flips burden to abusers

Until 2023, the costs of caring for seized dogs often fell on taxpayers, and dogs couldn’t be adopted until legal proceedings ended. That changed with the passage of the “cost of care” law, signed by Governor McMaster, which now requires suspects to either pay for the dogs’ care during the case or immediately forfeit them for adoption.

The ASPCA, which is helping house and rehabilitate the rescued dogs, welcomed the law as a major step in ensuring proper treatment and swift justice.

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Full list of charges

Dillon County:

• A 50-year-old man: Criminal conspiracy, ill treatment of animals
• A 44-year-old man: Child endangerment, animal fighting, drug possession, conspiracy
• A 41-year-old man: Animal fighting, conspiracy, trafficking marijuana, meth possession
• A 24-year-old man: Criminal conspiracy
• A 22-year-old man: Three counts of animal fighting, three counts of ill treatment

Marion County:

• A 32-year-old man: Animal fighting, drug trafficking, weapons possession, stolen firearm, conspiracy
• A 44-year-old man: Conspiracy, animal fighting, ill treatment of animals
• A 61-year-old man: Criminal conspiracy
• Two men (29 and 45) and a 49-year-old man: Animal fighting, ill treatment of animals