Attorneys/Judges
| Prosecutor(s): | Angela-McCall Tanner | | Judge(s): | Thomas W. Cooper Jr |
CONVICTED: Was justice served?
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Case #11969 Rating: 1.8 out of 5
3 chained dogs found dead - 12 more euthanized
Bluffton, SC (US)Incident Date: Friday, Jul 27, 2007
County: Beaufort
Charges: Misdemeanor, Felony CTA
Disposition: Convicted
Defendant/Suspect: James D. Ling
Case Updates: 3 update(s) available
Authorities in Beaufort County have found a horrifying case of animal cruelty. They say a Bluffton man is facing multiple charges after authorities 12 pit bulls on chains in poor health. They also found three dogs that died on their chains.
Staff Sergeant Tony Lytton says its one of the worst animal cruelty cases he's seen in many years. The dogs that were still alive were taken to a veterinarian, who determined they needed to be euthanized.
Authorities say 28-year-old James Ling abandoned the dogs. Ling is charged with 33 animal cruelty related counts.
Case UpdatesThe greater Bluffton man suspected of training pit bulls for fighting was sentenced to a fraction of jail time he could have faced under South Carolina's animal cruelty laws.
On Wednesday, James D. Ling, 29, pleaded guilty to four felony and 11 misdemeanor counts of ill treatment of animals. Judge Thomas W. Cooper, Jr. sentenced him to 18 months in prison. He could have faced almost 27 years if he had received the maximum penalties.
What authorities found at Ling's single-wide mobile home on Kindlewood Lane has been described as one of the county's biggest and worst cases of animal cruelty in memory.
When Beaufort County Sheriff's deputies and animal control officers arrived at his home July 27, they were set upon by thousands of fleas and surrounded by 15 emaciated pit bulls. The property reeked of decaying flesh.
In the July heat, there was no water or food. The few buckets spread throughout the property were filled with sand.
A dog described as mostly bones with a red collar was dead, chained to the wall of an unfinished garage. Hewas lying in a hole he apparently dug. A nearby plywood wall was stained with blood.
Another dead pit bull was found in a doghouse. A third dead dog was found beneath a trailer. Officers thought another dog was dead, but when they approached, it mustered the strength and lifted it's head.
Deputies and animal control officers recovered 11 more pit bulls in heavy chains, similar to the kind used for towing. Many had injuries and missing fur. A male puppy was chained to a treadmill that only allowed him to walk in circles.
The 12 living dogs were so infested with fleas and other parasites that they were anemic. All of them were euthanized because of their poor health and aggressiveness.
Investigators searched the home four days later.
According to their report, they seized: a spring pole used to train dogs' jaw muscles; two treadmills, one with weights on it; a number of links of heavy chain; pepper spray; various canine vaccines and medication; nutritional supplements; syringes; a video camera and four tapes; an empty money bag; and a cage containing the carcass of a dead raccoon.
The state Attorney General's Office described the paraphernalia as "classic dog-fighting equipment."But Angela-McCall Tanner, the county's deputy solicitor who prosecuted Ling, said detectives didn't have the evidence to warrant dog-fighting charges.
"There was enough evidence of the training, but there wasn't enough evidence that dog-fighting occurred on the property."
Heather Strickland, spokeswoman for the 14th Circuit Solicitor's Office, said prosecutors pushed for a tough sentence.
"We were pushing for a harsh penalty, but (Ling) had no prior criminal record and he pled guilty," she said. "The judge decided to give him 18 months."
Ling also received one year of prison time for a 2001 weapons violation. He'll serve that at the same time as his animal cruelty conviction.
McCall-Tanner said she is satisfied with the sentence, but had reservations about the conditions of his imprisonment.
"I think he deserves every day," she said. "I guess the only thing is, he'll be treated better than his animals while he's in prison because he'll get food and water." | Source: islandpacket.com - Dec 13, 2007
Update posted on Sep 11, 2011 - 9:35AM |
A greater Bluffton man accused of animal cruelty now faces a fourth felony charge for having three dead pit bulls and another 12 injured and emaciated dogs at his home.
James D. Ling, 28, of 25 Kindlewood Lane, was charged with another felony animal cruelty count, the Beaufort County Sheriff's Office announced Friday. The new charge stems from a pit bull that was found on July 27 so weak and malnourished authorities initially thought it was dead, said Lance Cpl. Robin McIntosh.
Ling also faces 11 misdemeanor animal cruelty charges and 15 counts of not vaccinating dogs for rabies, as well as a weapons violation and a charge of simple possession of marijuana. He was initially charged with 30 misdemeanors on Aug. 2, but three of the charges were upgraded to felonies Wednesday.
The 12 live pit bulls found at his home were euthanized because of their aggressiveness and various health conditions.
Authorities suspect they uncovered the remnants of a dog fighting operation, but said they could not prove it. A search of the home uncovered two treadmills, a spring pole used to strengthen dogs' jaw muscles, heavy chains, animal medication, nutritional supplements, syringes and an empty money bag, according to a sheriff's report.
The investigation is ongoing.
Earlier in the week, a spokesman for the South Carolina Attorney General's Office said a state dog fighting task force may prosecute the case.
Ling is being held at the county jail on a $53,190 bond. If convicted of all of the animal-related charges, he could spend up to 23 years in jail and be fined more than $20,000. | Source: lowcountrynewspapers.net - Aug 11, 2007
Update posted on Sep 11, 2011 - 9:24AM |
According to reports, back on July 30th Beaufort County Deputies arrested 28-year-old James Ling and charged him with 15 misdemeanor counts of animal cruelty, 15 counts of not vaccinating a dog for rabies, and three felony charges for the ill treatment of animals.
The discovery was made on July 27th when a landlord at a Bluffton trailer park called the Beaufort County Sheriffs office worried because he thought his tenant had abandoned several pit bulls outside of a trailer.
When Deputies arrived they made a gruesome discovery. They allegedly found a dead pit bull in a hole chained to the wall of the garage, another dog was found dead in a doghouse, and a third dead under the trailer.
Deputies and animal control officers say they also found a dozen more emaciated pit bulls. "They were all over scattered around the yard on chains staked out around the house and in the yard," said Toni Lytton of Beaufort County Animal Control.
All 12 were injured, missing fur and left without food and water.
Inside the home they found a spring pole used to train dogs jaw muscles, treadmills, chains and many other items they feel are tell tale signs of a dog fighting operation.
The 12 dogs still alive were taken to the animal shelter -- but in cases of animal cruelty like this ,often times the outcome for even the them is grim because of health problems and the aggressive behavior they acquire. "All of them were euthanized on the recommendation of the vet."
Lytton says her job at Animal Control is to help save dogs and its extremely upsetting to witness the results of this type of treatment. "You're in a hundred degree heat and no water to drink and they have a fur coat on and they don't perspire, so a lot of times it's very traumatic for us." | Source: WCJL News - Aug 8, 2007
Update posted on Nov 22, 2007 - 12:44AM |
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