PhillyTablet Inquirer Daily News
Mobile
Home Delivery
philly.com
email
font size
comments
2
options
 
Saturday, July 11, 2009

The legacy of dog fighting: A flood of homeless pit bulls

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.

 

 
Posted by Amy Worden @ 7:27 PM  Permalink | 2 comments
Comments   
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 9:11 AM, 07/13/2009
    Amazing is that most of the pictures show healthy, chunky, handable, dogs. I see no scaring, sadly the rescuers will kill many of these dogs. Being SCARED is a death sentence to a shelter dog. I wonder will the OWNERS have the chance to get their dogs back if they are found innocent like with "FLOYD BOUDREAUX" they KILLED all of his dogs, so even after he was found innocent he was already punished. A lifetime of breeding program destroyed all because a group of people think they have the right to do as they please with your private property.
    — Autumnbriar
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 9:13 PM, 07/13/2009
    I truly believe you are one of the sickest, most bizarre individuals I’ve ever read about! You, Laura Antretter, KILLED your own dogs and left others to die, and now you are defending the most vile pieces of human garbage on the face of the earth – dogfighters? You really need to have your head examined. I‘d suggest a pre-trial psychological examination but I’d hate for you to be declared mentally incompetent to stand trial and never pay the price for your crimes.
    — Macy


2 comments
About Amy Worden
Amy Worden is a politics and government reporter for the Inquirer. In that capacity she has explored a range of animal issues from dog kennel law improvements and horse slaughter to the comeback of peregrine falcons and pigeon hunts. From hamsters to horses, animals have always been part of her life. To pass along a tip or contact Amy, click here.
Advertise Here