Last dog from S.C. fighting ring looks for home

It’s been a year since Hazel the dog was rescued from a South Carolina dogfighting ring.

It’s taken that time to bring out the “sweet, funny” dog she is, Elli Frank said. The longer a dog spends in a dogfighting ring, the more “shut down” they can be.

“She’s funny,” Frank said of Hazel, now being fostered in Connecticut. “If she could talk, I think she’d probably be like Chelsea Handler.”

Hazel was one of nine dogs taken into custody by police in Gaston County, S.C., on June 2, 2021. All were placed in the custody of Frank, who runs a New York-based nonprofit called Mr. Bones and Co.

Of the nine dogs authorities say were part of a dogfighting ring run by Rico Pagan, now free on bond while awaiting trial on dogfighting charges, two were determined to be unable to be rehabilitated.

Of the seven remaining dogs authorities say they found living in squalid conditions on Pagan’s property, six have been adopted. Stephanie was adopted by a New York City Police officer. Buttercup, Gertie and James went to homes in upstate New York.

“Captain Rollins was the only dog we were unable to successfully rehabilitate,” Frank said. “We allowed him to peacefully pass on my farm here in the Hudson Valley.”

Heath the dog was adopted by a trainer in Fairfield, one with experience with former fighting dogs. Now only Hazel remains.

Hazel needed help. “She’s overcome an extensive amount of trauma,” Frank said. She’s about 5 years old now, and while she’s not aggressive toward other dogs, “she can be reactive if she feels threatened because of the history she’s been through.”

It’s not that Hazel wants to fight. “She just prefers the company of humans,” Frank said. “She spent four to five years living on the end of a chain in a dirt yard, starving. She needs to be spoiled.”

So Hazel has spent the last year working with a trainer, which has been a blessing in disguise.

“The silver lining is we’ve gotten to see her flourish. We got to see how far she’s been rehabilitated,” Frank said.

Not every dog can be rehabilitated after living as a fighting dog. It takes time and money — Frank said they’ve spent $40,000 working with the seven dogs rescued from South Carolina, $22,000 of that on Hazel.

“When we find the ones that we’re not sure if we can, and we end up saving them, that just makes it all worthwhile,” she said. “That’s Hazel. The diamond in the rough.”

“I have chills just talking to you about it, Frank said. “It gives us so much hope.”

Frank describes Hazel as “an affectionate, funny, spirited little dog who lives for car rides, belly rubs and meeting new people, and who has even learned to make some dog friends.”

Because of her history, Frank suggests Hazel be the only dog in a home. She has no behavioral issues with people.

For information about Hazel, email Frank at elli@mrbonesandco.org.

Elli Frank / Contributed photo Hazel is the last dog of nine rescued from a South Carolina dogfighting ring in need of a home.