AR-News: (SC - US) Attorney General prosecuting dog-fighting cases

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Source:  The Times & Democrat, 5/09/04

Attorney general prosecuting dog-fighting cases in Orangeburg, around the state; some
animals die here during ice storm escape


By Richard Walker, T&D Staff Writer

Nearly a year after a dramatic police raid, six of a host of Orangeburg fighting dogs are still alive.

Two Orangeburg County residents, Ricky Hanton, 39, and Donna Hanton, 37, both of 257 Yvette Road, Orangeburg, were arrested in June 2003 when 72 dogs were discovered at a large compound in northern Orangeburg County.

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Ricky Hanton was later released on a $100,000 surety bond, while his wife Donna Hanton was released after meeting a $75,000 surety bond.

The S.C. Attorney General's Office has taken over cases against the Hantons after dozens of dogs were seized during a raid on what police called the biggest illegal dog-fighting operation in the state.

"Both of them are under 11 indictments for animal fighting," said Mark Plowden, spokesman for the Attorney General's office. "I think there may be other charges by other offices, but we're prosecuting these 11 indictments."

No court date has been set for the Hantons, who could be facing five years and a $5,000 fine for each charge.

"We are in the process of receiving all of the relative material from the (First Circuit) prosecutor's," Plowden said. "The next step is to get a trial date."

After the raid, a lack of adequate facilities for safekeeping allowed police to seize only 11 of the animals while the rest were placed under a "seized on site" warrant.

However, during the ice storm which struck Orangeburg in late January, several of the pit bulls managed to escape their pens, which resulted in tragedy. Several of the animals had to be euthanized after suffering injuries when the pit bulls attacked one another.

Six animals remain, and prosecutors say those survivors will be used for evidence against the Hantons.

"I will not tolerate this dog-fighting business for one minute," Sheriff Larry Williams said. "If you're caught in Orangeburg County fighting dogs, whether as an owner or observer, you will have severe consequences. We don't want these kind of people in our county."

Recognizing the growing problem, the Attorney General's office in conjunction with the State Law Enforcement Division created a statewide South Carolina Anti-Dog Fighting Task Force in March.

Within weeks of its inception, the task force levied 68 charges against a 56-year-old North Charleston man. Those charges against David Tant range from animal fighting to assault and battery with intent to kill after authorities found 47 dogs, caged treadmills and armed booby traps at his property.

Authorities said they found the dog-fighting operation on rural property in Charleston County after a man on a surveying crew suffered pellet wounds from a gun rigged to keep people away.

When a surveyor tried to get a closer look at barking dogs on April 7, he struck a 66-foot trip wire and was blasted with birdshot. He was treated and released from the hospital after being struck in the chest and leg. Investigators said the device was rigged to keep intruders away from Tant's breeding facility.

Tant is out on bond, Plowden said.

In addition to Orangeburg and Charleston, the attorney general's office is handling cases in Greenville and Dorchester counties.

In the Orangeburg case, in addition to the animals, an estimated half-million dollars in dog-training equipment was seized by the multiagency task force.

Several of the pit bulls seized were found in various conditions of health, some bearing scars, missing ears or even portions of their jaw. One pit bull bore numerous scars. Half of the left side of its face was missing along with several teeth, its face scarred.

Antibiotics, steroids, syringes and other medical equipment were found during the seizure. A stainless steel medicine box, similar to a doctor's bag, contained about 60 syringes. Two boxes that once contained over 200 syringes lay empty beside the medicine box.

Nationwide, law enforcement agencies are taking notice of the growing popularity of dog-fighting among drug dealers and others. Investigators believe the blood-sport has its own sub-culture, lingo, Web sites and coded means of communicating fight times and locations.

"If horse racing is the sport of kings, then dog fighting is the sport of crooks and drug dealers," S.C. Attorney General Henry McMaster said. "The same people who participate in this sadistic behavior are the same people who batter women, abuse children and prey on the innocent."


T&D Staff Writer Richard Walker can be reached by e-mail at rwalker at timesanddemocrat.com or by phone at 803-533-5516.