COLUMBIA, S.C. — Greater than 20 folks have been arrested and greater than 300 canine have been recued as authorities raided dogfighting kennels in South Carolina, federal prosecutors mentioned Monday.
The sting began when state and federal brokers interrupted a canine battle in Richland County on Saturday, U.S. Legal professional Adair Boroughs mentioned in an announcement.
That led brokers to serve 23 warrants on Sunday that have been identified to be locations have been canine battle or are skilled to battle in Clarendon, Lee, Orangeburg, Richland, Sumter and York counties, investigators mentioned.
Twenty folks face state costs of animal cruelty and dogfighting, authorities mentioned. Investigators additionally seized about 30 weapons and $40,000 in money, prosecutors mentioned.
Officers mentioned 305 canine have been rescued, with about 275 of them believed to be a part of the dogfighting ring. The Humane Society of the US and Bark Nation helps deal with the canine.
Some of the canine had extreme scars, open wounds and cuts, the Humane Society mentioned.
Some of the canine have been unusually skinny, chained to bushes with no means of getting meals or water, the company mentioned.
The arrests over the weekend are the primary steps in a broader investigation that might embrace federal costs, Boroughs mentioned.
“To power canine to battle, usually to the demise, for the enjoyment of others will not be solely a federal crime, it’s also merciless, sadistic, and might create a haven for different illicit actions involving medicine and firearms,” Boroughs mentioned.
Supply hyperlink
