Dog-fighting - 47 dogs seized - Sumter, SC

Friday, Apr 30, 2004

County: Sumter

Charges: Felony CTA
Disposition: Convicted

Defendant/Suspect: Kevin Lamont Loney

A 27-year-old Sumter man has pleaded guilty to 47 counts of dog fighting. Kevin Lamont Loney also pleaded guilty to possession with intent to distribute marijuana and possession of cocaine.

In May of 2004 , investigators went to Loney's property to investigate information that dog fighting was taking place. The officers observed a number of badly injured and scarred pit bull dogs chained on the property.

A search of the property revealed 47 adult pit bull dogs, most of which showed clear evidence of being involved in dog fighting. Medicine, including penicillin, was also found. Penicillin is commonly used to treat severely wounded dogs.

Also found on the property were a number of tools used to train fighting dogs, including a treadmill, weighted vests, heavy chains and a "breaking stick" used to pry apart the dogs' jaws. Paperwork detailing the training methods and pedigrees was also found.

Cocaine and marijuana was found in Loney's toilet. Officers also found a number of handguns and a bulletproof vest inside the home.

Judge Thomas W. Cooper sentenced Loney to four years on each count, to be served concurrently.

References

« SC State Animal Cruelty Map
« More cases in Sumter County, SC

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