SLED and partner agencies removed 11 dogs from a Richland County property and arrested a 57-year-old man on animal fighting and cruelty charges.
COLUMBIA, S.C. — The South Carolina Law Enforcement Division charged a Richland County man with animal fighting and ill treatment of animals on Friday after helping rescue 11 dogs, according to SLED.
Thomas Hoefer, 57, was booked into the Alvin S. Glenn Detention Center following the arrest, SLED said.
The agency worked with the Richland County Sheriff’s Department, the Columbia Police Department and the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals on the case. The ASPCA transported the 11 dogs for medical evaluation and treatment, according to SLED.
Additional details on the charges are included in arrest warrants released by the agency.
The 5th Circuit Solicitor’s Office will prosecute the case. SLED said its investigation remains active and ongoing.
Anyone with information about dogfighting in South Carolina can send a tip to SLED at [email protected], the agency said.
Based on a release from S.C. Law Enforcement Division (SLED).
Source: S.C. Law Enforcement Division (SLED) original release.
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Thomas Hyslip lives in Tega Cay with his wife and daughter. After 27 years in the U.S. Army and Federal Law Enforcement, he retired to pursue his passion for teaching. Tom is now an Associate Professor of Instruction at the University of South Florida. In 2 short years he has won 10 awards from the South Carolina Press Association, including first place in column writing, education beat reporting and best podcast.
