LAKE CITY, SC (WMBF) – State authorities announced that a man in Lake City is accused of having several malnourished dogs.
The South Carolina Law Enforcement Division charged Douglas McFadden Jr., 41, with four counts of ill treatment of animals, four counts of animal fighting or baiting, and criminal conspiracy on Sept. 11.
According to the arrest warrant, SLED executed a search warrant at McFadden’s home in Lake City last Thursday.
Four Pitbulls were reportedly found in poor conditions, and no water access and it was determined that they were all owned by McFadden.
Officials say that a male Pitbull was found tethered by a heavy logging chain to the inside of an open outdoor storage space with visible untreated medical conditions and hair loss.
Another male Pitbull was reportedly tethered by a chain with no house.
A female Pitbull was found on a short tethered cord and was provided a black barrel house that was not elevated from the ground or protected from the elements, agents say.
Another female was found tethered by a heavy logging chain, tangled in a water hose, unable to move. She was extremely thin and was covered in ants.
Documents state that, given her severe conditions, it was apparent she had been intentionally left to die on the property.
Warrants also say that all four dogs were used for fighting/baiting because they had apparent scarring consistent with injuries from dogfighting
McFadden Jr. was booked into the Florence County Detention Center and has already been released on a $45,000 bond.
The Lake City Police Department requested the SLED investigation.
The case will be prosecuted by the 12th Circuit Solicitor’s Office.
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