Evidence of dog fighting found at Aynor home, report says

AYNOR, SC (WBTW) – Evidence of dog fighting was found at an Aynor home, an Horry County Police Department report said. 

While serving a search warrant on the 6000 block of Persimmons Road in the Aynor area, the Horry County Police Department uncovered a dog fighting operation.

On March 13 around 9 a.m., officers responded to the area in reference to a search warrant related to an armed robbery, the report said. After an investigation and a search of the property, evidence was found “to correspond with the acts of illegal dog fighting.” 

A second search warrant was served at the home and other items were found “to support illegal dog fighting.”

Four people were arrested and 18 dogs seized in an Horry County dog fighting operation.

Kenrick Butler, 25, of Loris, and Tran Graham, 36, of Aynor, were charged with animal fighting or baiting and booked into the J Reuben Long Detention Center on Wednesday. Roy Dew, 54, of Loris, and Erica Wilson, 27, of Aynor, were charged with presence at a facility of animal fighting or baiting.

Of the 18 dogs, 17 are pit bulls and one is a mastiff, according to the HCPD. The seized animals are  being held at the Horry County Animal Care Center and are not available to be viewed.

According to J. Reuben Long Detention Center booking records, three of the four people arrested have been released as of 7 p.m Monday. 

Butler was released around 7:10 p.m. on Friday, Wilson was released around 7:20 p.m. on Friday, and Dew was released around 2:30 p.m. on Saturday. 

The charges are as follows:

• Kendrick Vonte Butler: Animal fighting or baiting act ($5,000 bail); 14 charges of ill treatment of animals in general, torture ($1,000 bail); 14 charges of care and treatment ($5,000 bail; one charge with no bail set); driving under suspension ($647.50 bail).
• Tran Leonardo Graham: Animal fighting or baiting act (no bail set); 15 charges of ill treatment of animals, in general, torture (no bail set); unlawful neglect of child or helpless person by legal custodian (no bail set); 14 charges of care and treatment (no bail set).
• Erica Nicole Wilson: Presence at facility of animal fighting or baiting, first offense (no bail set); unlawful neglect of child or helpless person by legal custodian (no bail set); possession of cocaine, first offense (no bail set).
• Roy Webb Dew: Presence at facility of animal fighting or baiting, first offense ($5,000 bail).

This is a developing story. Count on News13 for updates as they become available.