SC: SC - Five pit bulls seized after dog fight in York County

Five pit bulls seized after dog fight in York County



YORK COUNTY, S.C. -- Animal Control seized five malnourished pit bulls after a dog fight in York County.
A dog fight was in progress Wednesday, according to the sheriff's office, when officers arrived to the scene on Lincoln Forest Drive.
Police tell NBC Charlotte they were originally called there for a car on cinder blocks in the road around 1 p.m.
<aside itemprop="associatedMedia" itemscope="" itemtype="http://schema.org/ImageObject" class="wide single-photo">Car prompts investigation and nearby house(Photo: WCNC)
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Responding officers heard a noise at a nearby house and started to investigate.
Two men were taken into custody. They've been identified as James Rhodes, 27, and Johnny Moore, 55. A woman, 22-year-old Charlina McKinney, was also taken into custody and charged with giving false information to police. Another man who fled the scene is still wanted.
Two of the dogs were fighting when deputies got to the house. They have broken teeth and deep bite marks, as well as old bite wounds from earlier fights. One of those two pit bulls was so weak that the dog couldn't stand on its own, deputies say. Four of the five were 12 percent dehydrated, which vets say is equivalent to death.
<aside itemprop="associatedMedia" itemscope="" itemtype="http://schema.org/ImageObject" class="wide single-photo">Dog taken after fight in York(Photo: WCNC)
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All of the pit bulls show signs of fighting in the past.
Thursday, the sheriff's office said the dogs are being treated and are resting comfortably. There are no current plans to euthanize any of them. Vets say they do need behavioral assessments but it's too early in their recovery.
Police say the dogs grew up on chains and they'll need to be placed with an experienced rescue group later. Now, the goal is for them to recuperate.
Animal Control says the best way to help is to adopt the other animals already available in York County.