News Summary
Spencer Lamont Moultrie, 54, faces charges of animal fighting and mistreatment in Beaufort County following a SLED investigation uncovering evidence of dog fighting on his property. Ten dogs were rescued, with nine showing signs of organized dog fighting. Moultrie has been released on a personal recognizance bond while facing potential felonies under South Carolina’s Animal Fighting and Baiting Act. The investigation highlights ongoing efforts to combat animal cruelty in the region.
Beaufort County, S.C. – Spencer Lamont Moultrie, a 54-year-old man, has been charged with animal fighting and mistreatment of animals following a recent investigation by the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED). The charges were formally announced on August 11, 2025, after a search warrant was executed at Moultrie’s property, revealing alarming evidence of dog fighting.
The search was initiated after SLED’s Dogfighting Unit received credible information regarding potential dog fighting activities on Moultrie’s property. During the search, officials discovered ten dogs and various items associated with dog fighting. The dogs, in need of urgent care, were taken into custody by the Humane World for Animals organization, which facilitated their veterinary examination. A veterinarian found that nine of the rescued dogs displayed scar patterns typical of organized dog fighting. One tan male dog was specifically noted to have a wound on its head, along with additional scarring linked to dog fighting.
Details regarding the specific items discovered on Moultrie’s property have not been disclosed by investigators. Following his arrest, Moultrie was booked into the Beaufort County Detention Center. He later claimed that the dogs belonged to another individual, whose identity was redacted in the arrest warrant.
As a result of the charges, Moultrie now faces serious legal repercussions under South Carolina’s Animal Fighting and Baiting Act, which is classified as a felony, with potential penalties that include up to five years in prison, fines reaching $5,000, or a combination of both. Moultrie was subsequently released from jail on a personal recognizance bond.
The investigation was carried out with the assistance of several law enforcement entities, including Beaufort County Animal Control, the Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office, and the Hampton County Sheriff’s Office. Initial signs of abuse were brought to light by Beaufort County Animal Services, leading to the police investigation and subsequent rescue of the dogs.
Images released by the Humane World for Animals depict the rescued dogs in distressing conditions, with some seen chained and confined to makeshift shelters. A majority of the dogs appear to be of the pit bull breed, which is frequently associated with dog fighting activities.
As this case unfolds, it remains unclear whether Moultrie is linked to a broader dog fighting operation or if additional arrests will follow. SLED’s Dogfighting Unit was established in 2023, reflecting an ongoing commitment to combat underground dog fighting in South Carolina. Notably, the unit has had previous success in its efforts, rescuing a total of 231 dogs and completing 60 arrests connected to suspected dog fighting incidents across 16 counties in the past year.
The community continues to monitor the case closely, as officials and animal welfare advocates work to address the troubling issue of animal cruelty and dog fighting within the region. This case brings to light the need for ongoing vigilance and strong interventions to protect vulnerable animals from such inhumane practices.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
Man Arrested for Dogfighting in Beaufort County
Beaufort County Man Arrested for Dog Fighting
Additional Resources
- Live 5 News
- Wikipedia: Dog fighting
- Island Packet
- Google Search: animal cruelty
- Post and Courier
- Google Scholar: animal fighting laws
- ABC News 4
- Encyclopedia Britannica: animal welfare
- WTOC
- Google News: dog fighting arrests
Author: STAFF HERE BEAUFORT
The HERE Beaufort Staff Writers are a collaborative team of journalists, editors, and local contributors passionate about delivering accurate, timely information to the Beaufort community. As part of the HEREcity.com Network, which powers over 100 U.S. city sites including HEREcolumbia.com, our staff draws on collective experience in South Carolina journalism to cover everything from business sales and real estate developments to dining deals and community initiatives. Our Expertise and Background: Local Roots in Beaufort : Our team includes lifelong Beaufort residents and SC natives with deep knowledge of the area’s history, economy, and culture. We’ve covered key events like the recent sale of the historic Crofts Block Building, Beaufort’s equestrian heritage, and growth in local tech and education sectors (e.g., BeaufortTechnical College programs). Collective Experience: With over 50 combined years in journalism, our staff has backgrounds in print, digital media, and community reporting. We prioritize fact-based stories, drawing from sources like the Beaufort Chamber of Commerce, city government records, and on-the-ground interviews. Commitment to Quality: Every article is a group effort, involving research, editing, and verification to ensure reliability. We adhere to journalistic standards, citing credible sources and updating content as new details emerge.
