Nearly 50 Dogs Rescued From Alleged South Carolina 'Dogfighting' Rings

Authorities in South Carolina, along with the Humane World for Animals, recovered 47 dogs from three different suspected dogfighting properties in Chester and Lancaster counties earlier this month.

Search warrants were served at the three properties on Nov. 5, according to the Humane World for Animals, where workers from the organization, along with agents from the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED), Chester County Sheriff’s Office, Chester County Animal Control and Lancaster County Sheriff’s Office discovered "scarred, injured and underweight dogs with wagging tails," including many who were bound by "heavy chains with plastic barrels or makeshift structures as their only source of meager shelter."

Rescue operation reveals haunting details

The Humane World for Animals says veterinarians found multiple dogs suffering from infected puncture wounds indicative of dog fighting. Many of the dogs were "severely underweight and infested with fleas," and there was also the presence of what appeared to be a broken-down dog-fighting pit and other dog-fighting paraphrenalia.

Additionally, a "severely underweight" mother dog was found nursing her three puppies in a "filthy, feces-caked hutch" and there were other dogs found to be suffering from injuries.

Some of the sites also contained drugs, guns and other weapons.

"SLED’s Dogfighting Unit continues to aggressively pursue anyone who is involved in this illegal activity in South Carolina,” said SLED Chief Mark Keel. “This most recent operation resulted in the rescue of 47 dogs that were taken out of a cruel and abusive environment along with the seizure of firearms and drugs, all of which only benefited the criminals who were arrested today. I am grateful for the partnership SLED has with Humane World for Animals and their ongoing dedication to assisting our Dogfighting Unit.”

Arrests have been made

Last week, the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division announced the arrests of four men in conjunction with the dogfight operations.

All four face multiple charges.

• Diara Charles Talford, 33 - Charged with animal fighting or baiting, ill treatment of animals, criminal conspiracy, possession of a firearm, possession of a weapon during a violent crime, cocaine trafficking and distribution.
• Nicos Kendrell Little, 37- Animal fighting or baiting, criminal conspiracy and ill treatment of animals.
• Devin Dashaud Mobley, 32 - Animal fighting or baiting, ill treatment of animals, criminal conspiracy and a related drug offense.
• Zion Damir Hairston, 22 - Animal fighting or baiting and criminal conspiracy.

Talford and Mobley were booked into the Chester County Detention Center while Little and Hairston were taken to the Lancaster County Detention Center.