We assisted the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Office of Inspector General with the seizure of 275 dogs from an alleged dogfighting operation throughout multiple properties in the Columbia, South Carolina, area. South Carolina Law Enforcement Division, nonprofit organization Bark Nation, and several licensed veterinarians also assisted with the seizure. See our Animal Rescue Team care for and bond with some of the dogs found to be in critical condition from this operation.

Federal officials served search and seizure warrants on 10 properties around 9 a.m. on Sept. 25. The dogs were found living outdoors in pens or on chains with barrels or other makeshift shelters as their only protection from the elements. Many of the dogs were thin and had no apparent access to food or water, despite the sunny and hot weather.

Responders observed dogs with severe scarring, as well as festering open wounds, lacerations and abscesses. Several dogs who were penned or chained to trees in the woods were deemed critical due to the severity of their wounds and were immediately removed from the properties for emergency veterinary care.

Some dogs eagerly greeted responders with wagging tails and kisses, while others hunched over and peered reluctantly at the responders.

“It’s truly distressing to come upon dogs who are severely injured yet chained to trees or left to languish in a pen instead of getting the care they desperately need,” said Adam Parascandola, vice president of the animal rescue team for the Humane Society of the United States. “Thanks to all the agencies who intervened on behalf of these dogs, this is the last day they’re going to have to live like this.”

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https://hsus.link/sc_alleged_dogfight...