27 charged in SC cockfighting operation, 100 animals rescued

The Marlboro County Sheriff’s Office, along with several other law enforcement agencies, were able to rescue over 100 animals from an alleged cockfighting operation and also charge 27 suspects in connection with the operation.

Marlboro County Sheriff Fred Knight said 38-year-old Carson R. Clark and his 21-year-old son Brandon Clark were charged with cockfighting after an investigation revealed they allegedly ran the cockfighting operation out of their home, which was located in the 4000 block of Kollock Road in Wallace, S.C.

Knight said sheriff’s deputies and several other state law enforcement officers executed a search warrant at the home Saturday evening and located 122 roosters as well as 11 dogs, ten of which were puppies. Law enforcement officers also found marijuana, cocaine, firearms, several thousand dollars in cash for entry fees and instruments commonly used in cockfighting.

Sheriff’s deputies have also charged 25 other suspects who come from both North Carolina and South Carolina with cockfighting in connection with the operation. Some of the suspects also received drug charges.

Under South Carolina law, cockfighting is a misdemeanor offense punishable by a fine of up to $1,000 or a year in jail.

The Marlboro County Sheriff’s Office and the State Law Enforcement Division began the investigation after receiving anonymous tips from the community that lead to several hours of surveillance of the home.

Knight said this has been the second cockfighting operation that his department has investigated since he has become sheriff.

Although five of the roosters died as a result from their injuries, the North Carolina-based Carolina Waterfowl Rescue Organization was able to save 117 of the roosters and have begun the process of rehabilitating them.

Some of the roosters have severe injuries including stab wounds to their chest and face, concussions, broken legs or ribs and bleeding from their ears, nose or mouth.

Kara Lopp, an organization spokeswoman, said even though the birds were being bred for fighting, many of them can be rehabilitated and can coexist with other animals and people as pets.

This is the second time the organization has been called out to rescue animals from a cockfighting organization in under a year. In May, they were called out to Chesterfield County to provide medical care to 150 roosters seized by police during a cockfighting bust in McBee, S.C. where nearly 50 people were charged.

The organization is currently at capacity for roosters and is requesting the community’s help in relocating the roosters to new homes. If the roosters do not find a home by April 10, the organization will be forced to euthanize them.

If you are interested in adopting a rooster or helping the organization through donations, visit their website at Carolinawaterfowlrescue.com

This story was originally published March 30, 2015 at 2:27 PM with the headline "27 charged in SC cockfighting operation, 100 animals rescued."