The parole hearing for convicted breeder of fighting dogs David Tant, originally scheduled for tomorrow, has been postponed.
Tant, 63, formerly of the Charleston area, pleaded guilty in November 2004 to more than 40 counts of illegally breeding fighting dogs, and one assault count connected to a surveyor who was wounded by a booby trap after he wandered onto Tant’s property in southern Charleston County.
The surveyor was showered by an explosion of birdshot, injuring him slightly. The device was described as a “directional mine” meant to ward off intruders.
Mr. Tant was originally sentenced to 40 years although the term was later reduced to 30 years. This will be his first parole hearing:
Attorney General Henry McMaster and numerous local animal activists had planned to attend the hearing to argue why they believe Tant, formerly of Charleston, should stay locked up.
In connection with the case, 47 dogs were seized and killed. While the conviction of Mr. Tant remains a very heated subject among SC dog owners, it does seem that the 47 dogs, presumably killed without receiving fair evaluations from qualified individuals, are often forgotten.
Every dog deserves a fair evaluation.