COLUMBIA — Thirteen people were arrested after a dogfighting match was busted over the weekend, according to the State Law Enforcement Division.
Two dogs were rescued from an active fight on the night of April 20 in Richland County and were taken to a local emergency veterinarian, according to SLED, which partnered with the Richland County Sheriff's Department for the investigation.
Multiple firearms and more than $84,000 in cash were found at the scene of the dogfight, according to the state agency.
The 13 people arrested were charged with animal fighting and baiting. They were booked in the Alvin S. Glenn Detention Center.
In late 2022, the U.S. Attorney's Office announced that nearly 300 dogs were seized in the "biggest takedown of a dogfighting operation in South Carolina history."
The record-breaking bust, with several raids across the Midlands, was led by the U.S. Department of Agriculture and assisted by SLED and local law enforcement.
An active dogfight was raided in Eastover during the operation, with 14 dogs seized and at least 17 people arrested on state charges of presence at an animal fight. A number of those arrested have since had their charges dropped, according to court records.
