The practice, known as "hog-dogging," has existed for more than a decade. But it has become more popular in recent years -- mostly in the rural South -- thanks to the growth of networks of organizers who advertise fights on the Internet and through direct mail, a Humane Society specialist said.

With the arrest of Arthur Parker Sr., 47, described by state officials as "the top hog-dog fighting event sponsor in the nation," authorities say they've taken a major step toward curtailing the abuse.

Reached at his home, Parker declined to comment Tuesday.

As part of a related series of raids, authorities arrested four other suspected "hog-dogging" organizers in raids in Alabama and Arizona.

Jump starts here

Parker is charged with two counts of felony animal fighting and baiting. He faces up to 10 years in prison and a $10,000 fine if convicted.

Also arrested were Parker's son, Arthur Jr., 20, and Mary Evans Luther, 50. The three, all of 1555 Mount Vernon Road, have been released on $10,000 bonds.

Arrest warrants indicate the charges stem from an Oct. 16 "hog-dogging" event at a lumber yard in Richburg. But authorities believe Parker Sr. hosted similar events at his Fort Lawn home and across the state.

Neither the Parkers or Luther had criminal records, according to the State Law Enforcement Division.

More arrests are expected in the case, said Trey Walker, spokesperson for the S.C. Attorney General's Office.

In "hog-dogging" events, organizers lead trained pit bulls into enclosed pens, while at the other end a "handler" shoves a wild pig or hog into the pen through a chute. The dog then fights the hog until it is forced to the ground.

The pigs' tusks are usually sawed off or shaved down before the event, leaving them virtually defenseless against sharp-toothed dogs.

"It's clearly animal cruelty," said Ann Chynoweth, counsel for the Humane Society of the United States. "The hogs suffer repeated attacks and mutilation. If you watch the videos, you can see how they're beaten down. After a while, they're so beaten down they'll just give up."

The injuries inflicted on the pigs aren't all that makes the practice so disturbing, Chynoweth said. Young people are often in the audience watching the action unfold.

"People bring their families and their children and cheer as animals are attacked," Chynoweth said. "The fact that people find it entertaining is disturbing."

Neighbors were suspicious

A woman who lives near the Parkers' home on Mount Vernon Drive said she often noticed signs posted in the area advertising dog shows at the Parker home.

Dozens of people would converge on the property, parking along both sides of the road. Many unloaded dogs from their pickup trucks, said the woman, who asked not to be identified.

"We'd hear those pigs squealing," she said. "It's a bloodcurdling sound. It sounds horrible."

Several neighbors complained to authorities about the sounds and the cars parked illegally along the road, the woman said.

The Chester County Sheriff's Office responded by notifying state authorities and helping them launch an investigation, said Sheriff Robby Benson.

But because it needed to be kept secret, authorities couldn't tell suspicious residents what they found was happening at the property.

"We've been working on it for several months," Benson said. "(But) when we get our hands on something like that, we can't talk about it. If the word gets out, they'll shut the operation down, and we won't be able to make any arrests."

Chester County authorities have investigated dogfighting cases in the past, but Benson said this is the first he can recall involving hogs.

Officials with SLED seized 15 hogs and 95 dogs in the raid, as well as a treadmill, medical supplies, competition trophies and other equipment.

The dogs were placed in the custody of the Chester County Animal Control, and about half have already been taken to Humane Society facilities across the state. The rest are being kept at Chester County facilities, said County Manager Gene Klugh.

It's possible some of the dogs could be made available to the public for adoption after the charges against the Parkers and Evans are resolved, Klugh said.

The hogs are in custody of the S.C. Department of Natural Resources, Klugh said. Many of the hogs were wounded, and one had a broken leg.

Nationwide efforts aim to curtail problem

The arrests in Fort Lawn are the latest example of how authorities in South Carolina and across the nation are taking a more aggressive approach toward the "hog-dogging" practice, experts say.

"When we first learned about hog dog fighting, we thought it was a few local instances," Chynoweth said. "We've started to learn it's more organized."

Raids similar to the one in Fort Lawn are part of "a coordinated effort to target the leadership" of the International Catchdog Association, which sponsors many of the events, she said.

The elder Parker is president of that association, said Walker.

In Warrior, Ala., police arrested a couple and charged them with misdemeanor animal cruelty, according to published reports. Another couple was arrested in Yavapai County, Ariz.

Efforts in South Carolina have been boosted by an anti-dogfighting task force created last year, Walker said.

There are 12 active cases against suspected dogfight organizers, with more investigations expected over the coming months, said Walker.

"It's been very successful," he said. "It's one of those situations where the more we investigate, the more we uncover."

That's welcome news for animal rights organizations such as the Humane Society.

"We do see progress," Chynoweth said. "The more the cruelty is exposed, the more progress is being made in prosecuting those who profit from it. We hope these recent arrests will put an end to it."

Matt Garfield • 329-4063