Animal Wellness Action Issues Statement About 31 Dogs Seized in Historic Investigation of Animal Fighting in South Carolina

Press Release

Today, Animal Wellness Action and the Center for a Humane Economy issued a statement on news that 31 dogs have been seized in a Lancaster fighting ring, as part of an ongoing investigation into dogfighting in South Carolina, police confirmed.

The dogs were found Sept. 21, and were part of an ongoing federal probe believed to be the second-largest-ever seizure of dogs in South Carolina history.

“Dogfighting is a horror show, and we are seeing federal authorities show no tolerance for staged fights that leave innocent dogs dead and dying,” said Wayne Pacelle, president of Animal Wellness Action. “We are seeing a dramatic uptick in federal enforcement actions, and this important work should send a signal to every dogfighter and cockfighter to cease and desist or face federal prison for these animal-cruelty crimes.”

Both the U.S. House of Representatives and U.S. Senate have issued the Fighting Inhumane Gambling and High-Risk Trafficking (FIGHT) Act, and the authors hope to include the provision as an amendment to the Farm bill. Both pieces of legislation were driven by concerns for the barbarism of animal fighting, other criminal behavior comingled with it, and disease threats to poultry posed by transporting fighting roosters.

The FIGHT Act, amending Section 26 of the Animal Welfare Act, would enhance the enforcement opportunities by banning simulcasting and gambling of animal fighting ventures; halting the shipment of mature roosters (chickens only) shipped through the U.S. mail (it is already illegal to ship dogs through the mail); creating a citizen suit provision, after proper notice to federal authorities, to allow private right of action against illegal animal fighters; and enhancing forfeiture provisions to include real property for animal fighting crimes.

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