Officials: 80+ dogs seized near Rock Hill, 300+ in SC in animal fighting investigation
More than 80 dogs were seized Sunday outside Rock Hill in an animal fighting and illegal breeding investigation, the York County Sheriff said.
The dogs included about 50 pit bulls and 30 beagles, Sheriff Kevin Tolson said in a statement.
More than 300 dogs were seized statewide in South Carolina Saturday, officials said.
The York County seizure is part of a joint investigation into fighting dogs and illegal breeding that includes federal agents from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, State Law Enforcement Division, and the sheriff’s office, Tolson said in a news release.
“Animal cruelty on any level is disturbing,” Tolson said in the release. “We’re grateful to work with all levels of law enforcement to combat the evilness of animal fighting.”
The dogs were taken from properties off Wildcat Creek Road south of Rock Hill, deputies said in the statement.
York County Animal Control and a contractor that specializes in rescuing fighting dogs took custody of the animals, officials said.
Largest dog fighting operation ever in South Carolina
Officials with the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Columbia said Monday 305 dogs were confiscated in six counties around the state Saturday. Dogs were found in Richland, Lee, Orangeburg, Clarendon, Sumter and York counties, officials said.
A release from federal prosecutors said the seizure of the dogs is believed to be the biggest take down of a dog fighting operation in South Carolina history.
The investigation remains ongoing.
Check back for updates on this story.
