Update 10/26/2011: Richland County Sheriff Leon Lott announced today that one of the dogs seized, in the recent dog fighting case, has been fostered out.

Sheriff Lott stated that the dog’s new name is “Loki” and is living with a family and making new friends. “Loki” is adapting to his new surroundings, family and their pets – even the family cat has bonded with him.

The 24 dogs seized (plus the 3 new puppies) have received their shots, heartworm tested, micro chipped, and receiving Iverhart max which protects against heartworm, roundworms and hookworms. The Sheriff added that the Sheriff’s Department continues to work with a large number of individuals and organizations in the care for the dogs and fostering them out (examples: Animal Farm Foundation, Pawmetto Lifeline, The Humane Society).

Sheriff Lott notes that this is a tremendous undertaking and those who wish to assist, may do so by sending checks payable to the Richland County Sheriff’s Foundation, P.O. Box 1182, Columbia, South Carolina, 29202. The funds donated will be used to offset the costs in caring of the dogs and to cover medical expenses along with boarding.

Sheriff Lott stated that we will continue to search for caring homes, and volunteers to foster dogs, until they can be adopted. Sheriff Leon Lott adds that if anyone is interested in assisting with fostering one or more of the dogs may contact Pawmetto Lifeline at 803-622-4748.

Update 10/20/2011: Sheriff Leon Lott Announces Additional Arrests in the Dog Fighting case and provides updates on the condition of the dogs

Sheriff Leon Lott announced the arrests of James Earl Green (DOB: 09/04/51) and Jason Lundees Washington (DOB: 07/13/80). Green has been charged with three counts of felony animal cruelty, and four counts of dog fighting – Washington is charged with two counts of dog fighting.

Early Tuesday morning, October 18, 2011 Green turned himself into Richland County Sheriff’s Deputies at 5623 Two Notch Road – upon investigation it was determined that Green used box cutters or scissors to cut the ears off of 3 puppies between 4 and 5 weeks of age.

Sheriff Lott announced the arrest of Washington on Tuesday morning, October 18, 2011 after he was released on bond from Federal custody for drug related charges.

Sheriff Lott stated that on Thursday, September 8, 2011 at approximately 6:00 PM Richland County Sheriff’s Deputies responded to 647 Camp Ground Road in reference to a complaint of dogs barking in the woods between 633 and 647 Camp Ground Road. Upon arrival deputies observed several dogs chained to the ground along a path with evidence of mistreatment.

Green resides at the location and was present with several other individuals at 647 Camp Ground Road watching two Pit Bulls fight. Deputies were able to arrest Taylor at the scene. Smith and Cole jumped into a vehicle in an attempt to flee – deputies ordered them out of the vehicle as Smith drove the vehicle towards the deputies at a high rate of speed in an attempt to run them over and sped away from the location.

-September 8, 2011 Stanley Taylor (DOB: 12/09/87) was charged with two counts of felony dog fighting. On September 17, 2011 Taylor was arrested with two additional counts of felony dog fighting.

-Friday, September 23, 2011 Jolisa Cole (DOB: 01/28/91) was charged with knowingly attending a dog fight, and Santerrio Smith (DOB: 07/19/88) charged with two counts of attempted murder, and two counts of felony dog fighting.

-Friday, September 23, 2011 Smith and Cole were arrested in a ditch beside the Days Inn (Plumbers Road) because he was tipped off that law enforcement was on the way – Smith and Cole were arrested by the Richland County Sheriff’s Department Fugitive Task Force after tracking Smith’s leg monitor.

-Friday, October 14, 2011 Danesha Akila Sade Smith (DOB: 09/17/93) was arrested on and charged with obstruction of justice – because she called her brother Santerrio Smith and informed him Richland County deputies were on their way to apprehend him.

Sheriff Lott stated that the main focus of the investigation is the wellbeing of the animals and the prosecution of those responsible. The dogs were awarded to the State during a hearing in magistrate’s court. The twenty-four dogs have received a preliminary evaluation by a veterinarian and will remain in the care of the Richland County

The 24 dogs have received their shots, heartworm tested, micro chipped, and receiving Iverhart max which protects against heartworm, roundworms, hookworms. Four dogs tested positive for heartworm and are being treated. One puppy with pneumonia is also being treated. This is a tremendous undertaking and quite expensive as well. Those who wish to assist with donations may make checks payable to the Richland County Sheriff’s Foundation, P.O. Box 1182, Columbia, South Carolina, 29202. These funds will be used to offset the costs in caring of the dogs and to cover medical expenses along with boarding. In the very near future we will look for caring homes and volunteer to foster a dog or two until they can be adopted. Sheriff Leon Lott adds that if anyone is interested in assisting with fostering one or more of the dogs may contact Pawmetto Lifeline at 803-622-4748.

Sheriff Lott is asking for community assistance in locating Tony Shuler (DOB: 07/13/71) and the identity of an individual that goes by the name of Mike Keru or Kayru – anyone with information about this crime or the identity of he suspect and location should call, email or text your anonymous tip to 1-800-Crimestoppers.

Smith was out of jail on $150,000 bond for another unrelated attempted murder charge. All are out on bond except Smith, who is currently detained at the Alvin S. Glenn Detention Center.

October 20, 2011

Richland County Sheriff Leon Lott announced the arrest of Stanley Taylor (DOB: 12/09/87) charged with two counts of felony dog fighting, Jolisa Cole (DOB: 01/28/91) charged with knowingly attending a dog fight, and Santerrio Smith (DOB: 07/19/88) charged with two counts of attempted murder

On Thursday, September 8, 2011 at approximately 6:00 PM Richland County Sheriff’s Deputies responded to 647 Camp Ground Road in reference to a complaint of dogs barking in the woods between 633 and 647 Camp Ground Road. Upon arrival deputies observed several dogs chained to the ground along a path with evidence of mistreatment.

There were several individuals present at 647 Camp Ground Road watching two Pit Bulls fight. Deputies were able to arrest Taylor at the scene. Smith and Cole jumped into a vehicle in an attempt to flee – deputies ordered them out of the vehicle as Smith drove the vehicle towards the deputies at a high rate of speed in an attempt to run them over and sped away from the location.

Smith and Cole were arrested on Friday, September 23, 2011 in a ditch beside the Days Inn (Plumbers Road) by the Richland County Sheriff’s Department Fugitive Task Force. Smith and Cole were apprehended after receiving information on their whereabouts by a family member.

The investigation into the dog fighting at 647 Camp Ground Road continues and more arrests are forthcoming. The main priorities of the investigation are the wellbeing of the animals and the prosecution of those responsible. The dogs were awarded to the State during a hearing in magistrate’s court. The twenty-four dogs have received a preliminary evaluation by a veterinarian and will remain in the care of the Richland County Sheriff’s Department. Sheriff Lott adds that if anyone is interested in assisting with fostering one or more of the dogs may contact Pawmetto Lifeline at 803-407-0991

Sheriff Lott states that Smith was out of jail on $150,000 bond for another unrelated attempted murder charge. Taylor and Cole are out on bond. Smith is currently detained at the Alvin S. Glenn Detention Center.