April 2004

Charleston (AP) - The dozens of pit bulls found at a North Charleston facility authorities say was used to train dogs to fight are likely to be destroyed.

A judge will decide next week if the 47 animals should be turned over to Charleston County or returned to the owner David Tant of North Charleston.

He faces 68 charges, including animal fighting and cruelty, stemming from a raid Wednesday.

The dogs are being cared for at the John Ancrum SPCA.

SPCA Executive Director Alan Berger says the animals the training they have received makes it difficult to put them in homes.

Bites resulting from the animals could result in lawsuits.

Aliix Plaxco is an animal behavior consultant with Bees Ferry Veterinary Hospital in Charleston.

He says the most humane thing to do is to euthanize the dogs.

But others see hope for all of the dogs.

New Jersey pit bull trainer and activist Mary Harwelik says aggression toward animals and toward people are two different things.

She says those dogs tend to be gentle toward people.