Elberton Man Arrested in SC on Dog Fighting Charges

An Elbert County man is one of more than a dozen suspects arrested during a dog fighting bust in South Carolina.

According to a report on Fox Carolina, the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division or SLED, rescued two dogs from an active dog fight taking place last Saturday near Columbia, SC.

The dogs were taken to an emergency veterinarian for treatment.

13 men involved in the dog fighting ring were arrested at the scene including 45-year-old Patrick Heard of Elberton, the only suspect from Georgia.

According to the report, SLED and the Richland County Sheriff’s Office investigated the scene, and in addition to the arrests, seized multiple firearms and $84,000 in cash.

All those arrested were charged in South Carolina with animal fighting and baiting.

According to South Carolina law, anyone convicted of dog fighting or baiting any animal is guilty of a felony and upon conviction faces a fine of five thousand dollars or five years in prison or both.

In Georgia, the law is similar.

A person convicted in Georgia of violating any part of the dogfighting statute will be guilty of a felony.

Upon a first conviction, the penalty is a fine of at least $5,000, a prison term between one and five years, or both.

A second or subsequent conviction is punishable by a prison term between one and ten years, a fine of no less than $15,000, or both.

The investigation in South Carolina is still active, according to SLED and anyone with information is asked to contact SLED via email at [email protected].