SLED Highlights Community Partnerships During National Dog Day

On National Dog Day, SLED recognizes the numerous community partners dedicated to supporting ongoing efforts to combat illegal dogfighting in South Carolina. Some of those include Humane World for Animals and the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA).

Dogfighting is one of the most heinous forms of animal cruelty and is a felony in South Carolina. SLED’s Dogfighting Unit is housed in the Narcotics, Alcohol, Vice Special Operations and Investigations Services Department, which is under the direction of Major Frank O’Neal. 

“This is the finest dogfighting unit in the country,” said Major O’Neal. “Over the years, we have developed a network of partners including local, county, state, and federal law enforcement agencies and nonprofits. This group has helped SLED to significantly reduce the number of criminals organizing underground dogfighting operations, which are frequently linked to the seizure of illegal drugs, guns, and gambling.”

Governor Henry McMaster played a key role in establishing the 2023 SLED Dogfighting Unit. Governor McMaster, along with the South Carolina General Assembly, continues to support SLED with an ongoing goal to eliminate illegal dogfighting in the state.

Since 2025, Humane World for Animals has assisted SLED with approximately 120 dog rescues from nine different properties linked to suspected dogfighting. 

ASPCA has helped SLED execute dogfighting-related search warrants across 16 different properties in South Carolina since August 2024, resulting in the rescue of more than 200 dogs. 

Veterinarian Dr. Jennifer Bonovich has worked dogfighting operations with both Humane World for Animals and the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. She serves as a strategic member of the team, due to her Veterinary Forensics background and has worked with SLED since January of 2023. She assists SLED with evidence identification, triaging the dogs, emergency medical support, and is an experienced shelter veterinarian. 

Due to the nature in which these dogs are found, both veterinarians and nonprofit partners are critical to the successful outcome of each rescue.

For example, Wilfred was one of 23 dogs Humane World for Animals rescued while assisting SLED with a dogfighting investigation in Richland County, South Carolina on June 12, 2025. The dog was found on site with an untreated leg fracture. After exams and X-rays, the veterinary team made the tough call to have his leg amputated. 

When Wilfred was transferred to the clinic for surgery, he stole the heart of one of the clinic technicians. From pre-op to post-op, they formed an inseparable bond. The technician decided to adopt him. 

After he healed, Wilfred began his new life as “Luca” and now has three canine rescue siblings. According to his new family, Luca is sweet, spoiled, and lives for car rides and couch cuddles. He was also the star of last year’s Christmas parade and has become a local celebrity. 

“We are proud to work with SLED’s Dogfighting Unit. Together, we’ve been able to make a world of difference for hundreds of dogs rescued from the brutal world of dogfighting,” said Adam Parascandola, vice president of global animal rescue, Humane World for Animals. “Seeing dogs who we first met chained and wounded, go on to find loving homes, treated as family members, attending holiday parades, napping on couches and playing with toys is a poignant reminder of the impact of this partnership.”  

Earlier, in August 2024, the ASPCA assisted SLED by removing 17 dogs from a property in Lee County, South Carolina. One of those dogs was Apricot, who was found outdoors, chained to a stake in the ground.  She was one of 58 dogs the ASPCA helped remove that year from properties in South Carolina, involved in alleged animal fighting operations.

Apricot was transferred to the ASPCA's animal recovery center for treatment, then placed with their nationwide network of shelters and rescue groups that match animals rescued from cruelty or disaster situations with loving families. 

Apricot was renamed Gemma by the family who adopted her. While Gemma was nervous when she first moved in, a trainer helped her transition into her new home. Desensitization and counterconditioning were critical to Gemma’s emotional success, by helping her process new sounds like the ice dropping into the freezer tray and the sound of the dishwasher. 

“While every dog is an individual and has their own specific set of needs, the ASPCA works tirelessly to rescue and rehabilitate victims of these cruel practices and has seen countless dogfighting survivors go on to find loving homes,” said Teresa Ladner, Vice President, ASPCA Criminal Practice & Investigations.  

Gemma’s new family includes her mom Andrea, her dad Tyle, Roxy the chihuahua, and a few cat siblings. It should be noted that Rambo, a brown tabby, is Gemma’s “bestie.”  

“Every time we carry the last dog away from the scene, and they are all finally freed from their chains, I feel emotionally drained and somehow energized all at once,” DVM Bonovich said. “The work is hard, and each dog carries a story that can only be read through its scars, the look in its eyes, and the heavy chain it leaves behind. Yet I’m thrilled knowing that today is the best day of their life so far, and that every day moving forward will be better than every day they left behind.”

SLED is proud to partner with animal rescue organizations across the United States on these cases. For the safety of the dogs, SLED is not currently mentioning the shelter names or the locations where the animals are housed. SLED is grateful for the numerous rescue heroes who go unnamed.