Dogfighting in South Carolina

by Barbara E. Magera MD

South Carolina is known as the state of “smiling faces and beautiful places”. But one ugly industry thriving in our state is dogfighting. 

Dogfighting is a federal crime. In South Carolina, dogfighting is illegal under the 1986 Animal Fighting and Baiting Act and punishable by up to five years in federal prison and a $5,000 fine. The Animal Welfare Act makes it a felony punishable to fight dogs or to possess, train, sell, buy, deliver, receive or transport dogs intended for use in dogfighting. Yet, this illegal, immoral and hedonistic activity thrives in our state.

As stated by South Carolina Governor McMasters, “The depravity involved in carrying out a dogfighting conspiracy is unimaginable to most people, and those involved in such a crime must be rooted out and punished.”

The blood-sport of dogfighting is not limited to rural South Carolina. In April 2024, a dogfighting raid occurred in Richland County, home to the state’s capitol of Columbia. Authorities arrested thirteen people who were charged with dogfighting, and seized multiple weapons including guns, narcotics, and more than $84,000 cash. 

In 2022, a combined federal and state agency effort seized more than 300 dogs and arrested more than twenty people involved with a dogfighting operation. Narcotics, guns, $40,000 cash and property used in dogfighting were seized. This was reported as the largest, single-state dogfighting arrest in the country. 

In 2017, federal authorities interrupted dogfights in two Columbia locations and arrested three family members running a dogfighting kennel. Over forty dogs were seized that were being bred and trained for dogfighting. 

In the above cases, investigators found dogs with deep lacerations and multiple scars on their faces and bodies. Many dogs required urgent veterinary care. The conditions of the dogs included social isolation from each other as part of their aggression training. Dogs were living outside with heavy metal chains around their necks. Their chains were staked to the ground or wrapped around the trunks of a large trees. Even puppies were found in chains. The dogs were provided no shelter and some were obviously sick.

In 2022, after months of surveillance, law enforcement successfully halted a dogfight in the Columbia area. The bust involved multiple properties used to breed, raise and train dogs, mostly pit bulls, for dogfighting. The dogs’ faces and bodies were deeply scared with broken tails, eyes, ears and mouth injuries and multiple injured limbs and paws. Twenty-three search warrants were executed in six additional counties. These sites were identified as locations of dogfighting kennels and were venues hosting dogfighting matches. Warrants were issued statewide indicating that dogfighting is not limited to rural or economically deprived areas.

In the US, the magnitude of dogfighting involved tens of thousands of people. In the 1990’s, dogfighting events were declining, but with the internet, a resurgence occurred. The internet allows easy access to communicate about choice dogs and dogfighting events. 

Greed drives the lucrative dogfighting industry. A single fight can yield a $20,000 – $50,000 gambling profit. Dogfighting kennels exist to breed increasingly aggressive dogs. Stud fees and sale of progeny from desirable blood lines can profit breeders thousands of dollars. 

Underground publications and websites advertise puppies and stud services from dogs who have won major fights. Worldwide the dog breeds frequently used for dogfighting include Fila Brasileiro, Dogo Argentino, the Tosa Inu, and the Presa Canario. In the US, the breed of choice for fighting is the American Pit Bull Terrier. Often other breeds are utilized as “bait”, which are dogs designed to allow the participating dog to practice their fighting skills before the real fight begins. The “bait” dog is usually a non-aggressive breed and greatly suffers with severe injuries if not death.  

Dogfighting involves the horrendous abuse, torture, and prolonged execution of underperforming dogs. Frequently, illicit drug use and distribution occur at dogfights. While pursuing a tip about an illegal drug transaction, legal authorities often discover a dogfight is ongoing or planned. At the dogfighting event, initial arrests are issued immediately for illegal drugs followed later by dogfighting warrants.

The psychological profile of people involved in dogfighting, although perverse, is the subject of many theories. But foremost is a desire to be part of a group that advocates aggression. This subculture often attracts young males seeking to belong to a group that advocates power to its members. Members of dogfighting gangs use the dogs as a surrogate of themselves to fight their battles and demonstrate their power and fearlessness. However; if the dog loses a fight, this brings shame to the owner who may then exert unusual cruelty including torture on the dog.

When a dog loses a fight, the dog often is “discarded” in a cruel manner such as left to die of their untreated injuries or killed. If the owner of a losing dog is embarrassed, loses status, reputation or money, then the losing dog is executed in a particularly brutal manner as part of the “entertainment” of the dogfight. In this way, the owner attempts to “save face” with his dogfighting colleagues.

The dogfighting culture has a set of unwritten rules, attitudes, and behaviors. Peer pressure to “fit into” the group dictates expected animal cruelty behavior. Compassion towards the dogs is interpreted as a weakness and personal flaw, and is not tolerated by the group. 

To enhance the performance, muscle mass and aggression, dogs are routinely injected with anabolic steroids. Immediately before a fight, the dogs are given injectable narcotics to increase aggression, decrease fear and mask the pain of injuries sustained in a fight.

Fights can last anywhere from minutes to hours. Both dogs may suffer serious injuries during the fight including severe lacerations, blood loss, puncture wounds, broken bones, organ crush injuries and more. The handlers are not allowed to intervene unless directed by a referee, which is infrequent. Dogs often die from the severe injuries sustained in the fight.

Dogfighting has been in existence since the 1700’s. The predominantly male audience and participants view dogfighting as an acceptable form of thrilling entertainment. The sadistic enjoyment of watching two animals fight is a behavior that is taught through generations of families. In their culture, observing and participating in dogfighting is considered a rite of passage towards manhood. Often the entire paternal family participates that includes grandfathers, fathers, and sons who are often underaged. They view dogfighting as a legitimate sport because they erroneously believe that some dog breeds possess an inherent instinct to fight.

These people lack empathy and have no regard for the welfare of dogs. They do not visualize dogs as companions or pets, but see them as fighting machines. The dogfighting gangs teach dog cruelty and expect their members to adopt this attitude and behave accordingly. Secrecy is demanded about their dogfighting events and participation. 

Many believe that dogfighting is an event to demonstrate the strength and endurance of a specific dog breed. Because their dogs are derived from an aggressive lineage, these people believe their breeding stock can sustain and endure severe or extensive injuries. They also believe their dogs enjoy the fight.

Combatting the cruel and horrific dogfighting culture requires education to promote compassion and empathy towards dogs and all animals. Programs designed to teach responsible dog ownership should be directed towards children and adults and repeated frequently. Bullet-proof enforcement of animal cruelty laws needs to be enacted and supported by local and federal agencies. Frequently, dogfighting arrests are discovered by following leads to drug trafficking. By studying internet posts, investigators break secret codes surrounding illicit drug sales which often reveal information about when and where a  dogfight is planned. The use of aerial drones allows surveillance of dogfighting kennels and provides potential locations of the dogfight.

 The dogfighting industry is a violent and highly secretive enterprise that has proven to be formidable challenge for law enforcement to successfully infiltrate. The major criminal evidence of these felony crimes are the dogs. When seized, they must be housed and cared for until criminal prosecution of the perpetrators occurs. The time for jurisdiction may be prolonged. Often the county, especially, if rural, does not have the facilities, manpower, or financial resources to maintain the care of injured or aggressive dogs. These issues are compounded if a sizable number of dogs are seized. 

Studies are needed to identify why people are attracted to these horrific inhumane violent acts of animal cruelty. Many believe the financial incentive of dogfighting alone are insufficient to explain the sadistic nature of the dogfighting industry. Some cultures believe that dogfighting is an acceptable, even enjoyable sport. Cultural beliefs are deep-rooted. Breaking the cycle of animal cruelty that is taught and revered by family or friends requires much study.

The dogfighting industry is profitable.  Gambling profits are huge; but appreciable money is also derived from drug, weapon, and sex trafficking. In a group sworn to secrecy that illegally generates appreciable sums of money, it is clear why legal authorities have failed to shut down dogfighting in our state. 

For those of us who love all canines and believe it is our moral responsibility to compassionately care for innocent animals, dogfighting is repulsive and unconscionable. Our belief is that “no dog should be born, taught to fight and forced to participate in a dogfight”.

Barbara E. Magera MD, PharmD, MMM (Caracaleeb) is a Cavalier fancier, exhibitor and breeder, dog photographer and writer who lives and practices medicine in Charleston, SC.