The South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED) announced the rescue of nearly a dozen dogs from a suspected dogfighting ring in Richland County. Alongside the rescue announcement, arrest warrants were released for Thomas Hoefer. The 57-year-old is charged with animal fighting and ill treatment of animals.
The arrest and rescue comes from a joint operation with the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA). ASPCA is handling the care and treatment for the affected dogs.
“Seeing firsthand the conditions these dogs were living in was a powerful reminder that no animal should have to endure the cruelty and suffering of dogfighting,” said Matt Bershadker, ASPCA president and CEO. “Rescue operations like this require tremendous coordination, specialized expertise, and resources, and I’m incredibly proud of our teams and grateful for our partnership with the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division and others who helped bring these dogs to safety.
This is the second alleged ring busted in the span of a month. Back in October, a Greenville man was arrested and 10 dogs were seized from a property in Pelzer. The ASPCA is credited with assisting SLED with 16 dogfighting operations and more than 200 rescues since 2024.
