275 Desperate Dogs Rescued From Largest SC Dogfighting Operation In History

WARNING: Content material could also be delicate for some readers.

Simply final week, the Humane Society of the USA labored in cooperation with federal brokers, native legislation enforcement, a number of veterinarians, and the non-profit group Bark Nation to take down what’s believed to be the most important suspected canine combating community in South Carolina historical past.

Federal officers executed search and seizure warrants at ten properties and located lots of of canine desperately needing medical care. 

Officers executed their investigation throughout a scheduled canine struggle and had been capable of instantly rescue 14 canine. Then, a day later, they despatched brokers to websites throughout the state suspected of getting used for combating.

However what they discovered after they arrived was extra terrible than they imagined. The poor pups endured limitless accidents, had been denied meals, and lived in nightmarish circumstances. Many canine had been tied down by heavy chains and dwelling exterior with nothing greater than an overturned barrel for cover from the weather.

Most of the pups had accidents in keeping with dogfighting, with dozens affected by extreme scarring, bruising, and contaminated open wounds. In addition they noticed typical canine combating accidents, together with lacerations, abscesses, deep puncture wounds, and damaged bones. It was additionally obvious that many canine suffered untreated fractures that had not healed correctly.

“It’s actually distressing to come back upon canine who’re severely injured but chained to bushes or left to languish in a pen as a substitute of getting the care they desperately want,” mentioned Adam Parascandola, vice chairman of the animal rescue group for the Humane Society of the USA.

A lot of the canine, together with pregnant and nursing moms, additionally had no obvious entry to meals or water whereas being stored in soiled pens and tiny, wired cages. Many canine had been excessively skinny and confirmed positive indicators of malnourishment. 

This operation is a part of an ongoing investigation by the USDA OIG and the South Carolina Legislation Enforcement Division. It’s a felony punishable by as much as 5 years in federal jail for combating canine or for possessing, coaching, promoting, shopping for, delivering, receiving, or transporting canine meant to be used in a struggle. 

Canine combating is heinous and sometimes consists of breeding and conditioning canine to dislike each other. Canines pressured to struggle usually die of blood loss, shock, dehydration, exhaustion, or an infection whereas enduring an limitless cycle of mistreatment and abuse. 

Some canine die after a single struggle, whereas others escape alive and proceed to face horrific abuse. 

The canine rescued from this operation are being transported to protected, undisclosed areas the place they are going to obtain rapid medical care. 

Featured Picture: Meredith Lee by way of Fb/HumaneSociety