Law enforcement officers this week executed the largest coordinated dog fighting raid in U.S. history, sending a message they said, of a zero tolerance policy on this illegal blood sport. Federal and state agents swept through five states on Tuesday, arresting 26 people and seizing nearly 400 pit bulls.

But what will become of the innocent victims? The Humane Society of Missouri is caring for many of the dogs seized this week. But urban shelters around the country are overloaded with pit bulls - whether part of dog fighting rings or backyard breeding or just status symbols, they are too often the victims of cruelty and neglect. Look at the Pennsylvania SPCA's list of adoptable pets. Easily 90 percent of the available dogs in Philadelphia's primary shelter are pit bulls, some with "urgent" notices next to their names, an indication that their days in the shelter are numbered.

Rehabilitating fighting pit bulls present enormous challenges for shelters and rescue groups. For instance, many of the dogs seized at Michael Vick's Bad Newz Kennel found homes, but some severely traumatized dogs will likely spend their lives in the care of trained staff at Best Friends Animal Society in Utah.

With dog fighting raids at an all time high nationally, The Christian Science Monitor looks at the plight of survivors.