47 Puppies and Dogs Rescued as Dogfighting Cases Surge in South Carolina

South Carolina officials have been cracking down on dogfighting operations, saving hundreds of pups from inhumane conditions. The State Law Enforcement Division — known as SLED — rescued more than 200 dogs from illegal dogfighting rings in 2024. This year, Humane World for Animals has partnered with SLED to rescue more than 90 dogs since June alone.

Just this past week, over 50 dogs were saved from various dogfighting operations across the state. In Lancaster and Chester counties, four individuals were arrested on dogfighting related charges after 47 dogs and puppies were discovered on three different properties. In Greenville, a separate man was arrested on two counts of dogfighting and three counts of illegal treatment of animals; four dogs were seized from his property.

One of the rescued dogs was a severely underweight nursing mother. According to Humane World for Animals (HWA), she and her three puppies were found in a “filthy, feces-caked hutch.” While she was initially cautious, she quickly warmed up to rescuers and was soon begging for chin scratches. 

“It’s haunting to see so many dogs — injured, covered in scars and clearly in need of veterinary attention — just stuck on the end of a heavy chain. They looked hurt and alone,” Janell Gregory, the South Carolina state director of Humane World for Animals, said in a statement. “It’s rewarding to see them start to wiggle and give kisses as we got them to safety. We are deeply grateful to SLED for initiating this rescue operation.” 

“These are dogs just being kept in these yards. Their whole life is in a yard unless they’re fighting,” forensic veterinarian Dr. Jennifer Bonovich told WRDW. “Sometimes we have to slowly go up and put a hand out. And then they just...it’s this sigh. Because they’re not getting negative attention. They’re getting positive attention. And we carry them off that chain, take that heavy collar off, and walk away.”

Bonovich explained that once you know the signs of a property being used for dogfighting, it’s easy to spot. She said that yards full of dogs with heavy chains kept just out of each other’s reach and dirt circles on the ground are often signs of a dogfighting ring. Additionally, wounds on the dogs themselves — such as bite marks and deep puncture wounds — are obvious tells.

The SLED dogfighting team is made up of just five people. And in addition to working on busting rings, they face the huge obstacle of rehoming the dogs after rescue. Last year, South Carolina passed the Cost of Care Act. The measure shifted the financial burden of caring for seized dogs from the rescue groups to the original guardians, who can either pay for the pet’s care or relinquish them, expediting the adoption process. Before this act, rescued pets were held for months while crimes were prosecuted.

The dogs discovered this last week have all been transported to safe, confidential locations, where they are receiving the care that they so desperately need. While they are not yet available for adoption, rescuers are hopeful that these pups will soon have a chance to find safe homes. According to Bonovich, many dogs who are victims of fighting rings can be rehabilitated. “A lot of these dogs are just amazing and don’t have a mean bone in their body,” she said.