Last week, we partnered with the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED) to remove more than 150 dogs from 10 locations across Dillon and Marion counties. The dogs — many of whom were observed with untreated injuries and scarring consistent with dogfighting — were transferred to one of our facilities, where they are currently receiving critical care.

This is just one of seven suspected dogfighting cases we have assisted law enforcement with in the past year, which also included:

• A suspected dogfighting case in March 2025 involving dozens of dogs, including puppies, removed from a property in Luzerne County, Pennsylvania.
• A suspected dogfighting case in Pinellas County, Florida, in August 2024, which resulted in the rescue of more than 100 dogs. For this case we provided subject matter expertise, legal support and conducted veterinary and behavior forensic exams on all the dogs to support the investigation.
• Assisting SLED with the execution of multiple dogfighting-related search warrants across South Carolina in 2024. In addition, we assisted dozens of investigations supported with forensic, investigative and legal support from our subject matter experts.

Over the last year, we’ve assisted nearly 350 dogfighting victims across multiple states. That’s why in honor of National Dogfighting Awareness Day on April 8, we wanted to take a moment to acknowledge the incredible dogfighting survivors we see every day, as well as our strong partnerships with local shelters and law enforcement agencies who we work alongside to protect vulnerable animals from one of the most brutal forms of abuse.

“Despite being a felony nationwide, the horrific act of dogfighting still occurs all over the country, and the ASPCA is dedicated to putting an end to this cruel suffering that impacts thousands of vulnerable animals at any given moment,” said Matt Bershadker, President & CEO of the ASPCA. “As a leading expert in dogfighting investigation and response, the ASPCA is committed to our collaborations with law enforcement and other animal welfare agencies to bring justice to its victims, provide them with the critical care they deserve, and share our learnings nationally so together we can save even more lives.”

We are committed to working to bring dogfighting to an end through direct boots-on-the-ground support with seizures, subject matter consultations to assist investigations, and providing trainings for law enforcement across the country to enhance their ability to identify, investigate, respond to and prosecute dogfighting cases. In addition to our rescue and care efforts, earlier this year, we held a comprehensive dogfighting investigation and response workshop in North Carolina, attended by more than 50 law enforcement officers, prosecutors, veterinarians and sheltering professionals.

If you suspect that dogfighting or other animal abuse is happening in your community, please speak up. This National Dogfighting Awareness Day, we urge you to become an advocate for dogfighting victims and find out how to report animal cruelty