How officials are handling illegal dogfighting in South Carolina

GREENVILLE, S.C. (InvestigateTV) - Dogfighting is a crime hiding in neighborhoods across the country. It’s illegal in all 50 states yet law enforcement warn it’s still a common practice.

South Carolina is busting more illegal dogfighting rings than ever before, and investigators say people still don’t understand why it’s a safety issue for everyone.

In 2024, the State Law Enforcement Division, better known as SLED, rescued more than 200 dogs from illegal fighting rings.

“It is in every county in our state and it is in neighborhoods, and it is in backyards,” said Dr. Jennifer Bonovich, a forensic veterinarian.

Evidence from crime scenes

Bonovich is one of the state’s few forensic veterinarians. When SLED makes a bust, she gets a call.

“Just like in the human side, when we have to document bruises and potentially bite marks or stab wounds, a dog is its own crime scene and bite marks are evidence,” Bonovich said.

That evidence helped SLED bring charges against 60 people in 2024.

“These are dogs just being kept in these yards. Their whole life is in a yard unless they’re fighting,” Bonovich said. “Sometimes we have to slowly go up and put a hand out. And then they just... It’s this sigh. Because they’re not getting negative attention. They’re getting positive attention. And we carry them off that chain, take that heavy collar off, and walk away.”

Bonovich said once you know the signs, it is easy to identify a yard where dogfighting is happening: dogs on heavy chains kept just out of each others reach, dirt circles worn into the ground and rain barrels turned on their sides for the animals’ beds.

Multiple crimes connected to dogfighting

In most dogfighting cases, animal abuse is only part of the illicit activity.

According to SLED, those 60 people arrested last year from raids generated more than 200 animal related charges, about 50 firearm charges, another 30 drug charges and 20 charges involving children.

SLED presented the data to a House subcommittee over the summer.

“If we had more agents we could make more of these cases ... We get tips from Crimestoppers. I’ll probably have two more tips when I check my email after this,” said Jason Wells with the State Law Enforcement Division.

SLED’s dogfighting team is made up of just five people, each working one to two cases at a time.

Challenges with rescued dogs

While getting enough resources to investigate dogfighting is a challenge, where those dogs go after a bust is another obstacle.

“You get 30 dogs out of a search warrant. Not only where do they go, but then what do we do with them? It’s going to be very hard. How do we assess them? How do we determine if they’re safe for the public?” Bonovich said.

In South Carolina, organizations like Humane World for Animals and the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals often help with the logistics.

Bonovich goes into scenes with these groups to examine the dogs, then the groups take custody.

Advocates said the passing of the Cost of Care Act last year has been a huge help. Before the act, it fell on rescue groups to financially support animals seized in these raids.

Now the burden falls on the owner.

Bonovich said many of the dogs can be rehabilitated.

“A lot of these dogs are just amazing and don’t have a mean bone in their body,” she said.

Success stories

Jason Howe and his dog Beni have only known each other since September, but the two are bonded.

“He is the sweetest dog in the world and I think more people need to see that. See how vicious he is?” Howe said.

Rescued in a raid, Beni eventually found his way to Howe in Jefferson City, MO, with the help of the Florida-based rescue Pit Sisters.

Now, Navy veteran Howe is training Beni to be his service dog with the nonprofit K-9s on the Frontline. The group is dedicated to giving dogs with rough starts a second chance.

“Beni in French means blessed. So he’s blessed. I’m blessed. Um, cause we have each other now. So we’re both blessed,” Howe said.

“I always do. You know, how many more can we save?” Howe said when asked about other dogs who haven’t been rescued yet.

Proposed changes

Bonovich knows her job isn’t for everyone. Walking into a scene is overwhelming with dozens of dogs barking, chains rattling and flies buzzing around open wounds. But she knows when she shows up, it won’t be like that for long.

“The excitement is knowing that at the end of the day, it was quiet. And there was not a single dog on a chain. And we knew that those dogs would never be on a chain again,” Bonovich said.

Investigators say there are two changes lawmakers could make that would help them stop the cycle of dogfighting.

Right now, being present at a dog fight is a misdemeanor. SLED suggests making a second offense a felony. Bonovich said lawmakers should also consider implementing an animal possession ban for people convicted of certain crimes. There are already 42 states that have similar laws enacted.