Local Animal Shelter Working To End Dog Fighting

COLUMBIA, S.C. (WOLO) — “They’ll take the dog and then basically tape or wire it’s mouth shut so it’s defenseless,” says Wayne Brennessel Chief Executive Director of the South Carolina Humane Society. That’s the harsh reality of a bait dog in the world of dog fighting. A reality, Cowboy, knew all too well. Less than a month agao, he was left with no teeth, after they were sawed off, he was severely underweight and covered with bite marks. Unfortunately, Cowboy isn’t the only victim of baiting. Wayne Brennessel, says they see baiting victim’s too. “It came and you could see the scars on it’s snout from the wire, it had scars on it’s ears and neck from being bitten,” says Brennessel. But, there is hope for these dogs. Some are taken to the Humane Society, where they are rehabilitated, then put up for adoption. For Cowboy, his saving grace was PETSinc. Employees at the no-kill shelter say they are making an effort to put an end to the crime. “We are currently working right now with different groups to come out and raise support so we can get the attention of the legislator in the state so we can try to find a stop for the dogfighting and bait dogs,” says Jessica Jennings, Volunteer Coordinator at PETSinc. PETSinc is also holding a dog wash rally for support. Right now, a law against dogfighting does exist in South Carolina, here’s how it breaks down, according to the United States Humane Society. Dogfighting in South Carolina is considered a felony. If you are involved with dog fighting or you have dogs for the purpose of fighting them, you could face five years in jail and a $5,000 fine. Also, if you attend a dogfighting event, you could be charged with a misdemeanor and spend six months in jail along with paying a $500 fine. Yet, even with the law, the problem still exists, we just don’t always know about it. “It’s always tied to other illegal activities, whether it be drugs, illegal weapons, money laundering, and none of these activities are out in the open and discussed,” says Brennessel Because of this, not all dogs can be saved. Lucky for Cowboy, he was and he now has something he has never had before, a place to call home. Cowboy’s Dog Wash and Rally will be held at PETSinc. on Saturday, August 6, 2011 from 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. Also, if you are interested in adopting a pet from the Humane Society, you can visit the shelter located at 121 Humane Lane, Columbia, S.C. 29209.