County ordinance targets dogfighters and backyard breeders

Despite a strong anti-dogfighting law in South Carolina -- one that doesn't require that an actual dogfight be witnessed -- Beaufort County officials say it's extremely difficult to convict dogfighters.

"We know (dogfighting) is happening," said Beaufort County Sheriff P.J. Tanner. "It will come up (when residents call to report dogfighting) or we will find some evidence of training dogs in the course of other investigations. So we know it's there, but in a dogfighting case you almost have to catch it in the act or have to go undercover to (get a dogfighting conviction.)"

Tanner said the agency gets roughly a dozen calls or complaints about dogfighting each year. Beaufort County's animal shelter and local veterinarians offices regularly see bait dogs and fighting dogs -- many distinguishable by scarring on their heads and hind legs as well as trimmed ears.

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This story was originally published July 13, 2015 at 11:34 AM with the headline "County ordinance targets dogfighters and backyard breeders."