CHESTER COUNTY, S.C. (TCN) — Forty-seven dogs were rescued and four men were arrested in connection with a suspected dogfighting and drug-trafficking operation spanning two counties.
On Nov. 6, authorities, led by the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED), executed search and arrest operations at three properties in Chester and Lancaster counties. These resulted in the seizure of dogs, drugs, cash, and guns, according to a press release from SLED.
The Lancaster County Sheriff’s Office, the Chester County Sheriff’s Office, Homeland Security, and the FBI assisted SLED in the investigation, the release said.
Diara Charles Talford, Devin Dashaud Mobley, Zion Damir Hairston, and Nicos Kendrell Little were arrested. All are in custody facing multiple charges related to drugs including cocaine, animal fighting, ill treatment of animals, guns, and criminal conspiracy.
Many of the dogs found in the backyards of the properties and in the nearby woods had wounds or scars consistent with dogfighting, Humane World for Animals said in a press release. The organization has taken in the dogs for veterinary care.
Humane World for Animals, formerly known as the Humane Society of the United States, said most of the dogs found were underweight and flea-infested. Among the 47 dogs rescued from the properties were a malnourished mother dog and three nursing puppies. Investigators also found paraphernalia related to dogfighting, such as treadmills.
Arrest warrants stated that many of the rescued dogs are pit bulls.
“What we found this week is deeply disturbing but through the efforts of these partnerships, we have taken immediate action that dismantled a horrific animal abuse operation,” Chester County Sheriff Max Dorsey said in a public announcement. “Animal cruelty has no place in our community and it will not be tolerated.”
MORE: