‘Scooter’s Journey’: Pit bull mauled; York deputies investigate possible dogfighting
York County authorities are asking for the public’s help after officials found a pit bull dog with injuries that may have come from dogfighting, deputies said.
The dog, now called Scooter, was found Jan. 28 off Ratchford Road in York, said Trent Faris, spokesman for the York County Sheriff’s Office.
Scooter was badly injured when he was found by York County Animal Control, Faris said. Scooter had surgery after wounds were found on his head, neck and body, Faris said.
Investigators with the sheriff’s office have determined that Scooter was likely used as a “bait dog” for training other pit bulls for dogfighting, Faris said.
“Our officers believe that Scooter was used as a bait dog and abused,” Faris said. “Scooter has been recovering, but we want to know what happened to him.”
Animal fighting is a felony in South Carolina that carries up to five years for a conviction, state law shows.
Deputies are seeking information about the animal and where it may have been kept before it was found, Faris said.
The case has attracted attention among animal groups. The York County Animal Shelter housed Scooter, and a “Scooter’s Journey” Facebook page has been set up to chronicle the dog’s return to health.
Anyone with information is asked to call the sheriff’s office at 803-628-3059; or contact York County Crimestoppers at 1-877-409-4321.
This story was originally published February 12, 2020 at 1:38 PM.
