Just six years into his 30-year sentence, Tant was granted his first parole hearing in front of three members of the seven-member parole board. He was not required to go in front of the full parole board because, shockingly, his crime was considered a non-violent offense.
Painting by
George Morland - Commons.wikimedia.org
Animals are suffering immense cruelty at the hands of dogfighters —
from the dogs who are forced to fight in the ring, to the mother
dogs forced to breed puppies who’ll be used in fights, to the
shelter animals and stolen cats and dogs who are used as “live bait”
for training. And the people who participate in this crime too often
get lax punishments that fail to ensure justice is served for
victims and fails to protect animals from future abuse.
David Tant of South Carolina was once considered by the underground
dogfighting community to be one of the top breeders of fighting pit
bulls in the country. Authorities eventually seized 47 pit bulls
from Tant’s property, many with injuries consistent with
dogfighting. Equipment associated with dogfighting such as, caged
treadmills, a “rape box” to restrain female dogs so that they can be
forcibly bred, cattle prods, a bear trap, homemade gun silencers,
and remnants of a dogfighting ring, were also found on the property.
Tant pleaded guilty to four counts of animal fighting and one count
of assault and battery of a high and aggravated nature. He was
sentenced to 20 years in prison for animal fighting and 10 years in
prison for creating a booby trap.
But just six years into his 30-year sentence, Tant was granted his
first parole hearing in front of three members of the seven-member
parole board. He was not required to go in front of the full parole
board because, shockingly, his crime was considered a non-violent
offense. The vote was split 2-1. Because the partial board did not
reach a unanimous decision, Tant went before the full board — and
was granted parole.
Tant’s crime was considered a non-violent offense…such a conclusion
is a blatant dismissal of the harm committed against dozens of
innocent animals. The Animal Legal Defense Fund fights every day to
protect animals from violent abusers like Tant using the power of
the law. And over the last 40 years we have made significant
progress and huge strides in our mission, but Tant’s case shows that
more still needs to be done.
We won’t stop fighting for animals, whether that’s by strengthening the laws in every state to safeguard them against abuse, filing lawsuits to bring abusers to justice, or educating the public about the importance animals have as unique individuals. But we can’t do it alone — we need your help. Donate at ALDF Animal Legal Defense Fund. Thank you.