The arrest of a Fort Lawn man accused of
pitting dogs against pigs in staged fights is part of a nationwide
effort to crack down on a "bizarre and disturbing" form of animal
cruelty, experts say.
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
mgarfield@heraldonline.com
