Over 40 Dogs and Puppies Rescued from Alleged Cruelty Situation in South Carolina

Berkeley County, S.C. – More than 40 dogs and puppies were rescued from a property in rural South Carolina on August 11th following a search and seizure warrant served by the Berkeley County Sheriff’s Office. The operation involved Humane World for Animals and the Charleston Animal Society.

Conditions Revealed

Responders found numerous dogs chained in areas with stagnant, floodwater, causing painful inflammation to their paws. Several dogs also exhibited scarring consistent with organized dogfighting.

Rescue Efforts and Ongoing Support

Janell Gregory, South Carolina state director for Humane World for Animals, described the scene as "heartbreaking," noting the dogs’ confinement in flooded areas with tadpoles swimming near their paws. The rescued dogs and 15 puppies are being transported to a safe location for care.

Law Enforcement Collaboration

Berkeley County Sheriff Duane Lewis praised the collaboration between law enforcement and animal welfare organizations, emphasizing the seriousness with which the Sheriff’s Office takes animal cruelty allegations. The investigator for this case has participated in over 70 trainings offered by Humane World for Animals since 2021, focusing on animal crime investigation education and rescue operations.

Humane World’s Impact

Since June 2025, Humane World for Animals has assisted in the rescue of over 250 dogs from similar conditions across South Carolina, Indiana, and Florida. The organization’s Law Enforcement Training Center has provided over 70 trainings to 20,000 law enforcement professionals in South Carolina.