Some say that justice was done this week in the sentencing of seven of more than two dozen suspects that were arrested during last summer's largest dogfighting raid in U.S. history, involving 7 states and over 600 dogs. I agree, the sentences were wonderful to hear, no less than a year in federal prison and 3 years after that on supervision, plus they have to reimburse the Humane Society of Missouri approximately $1 million dollars for caring for the seized dogs and their pups. More than 160 of these poor dogs had to be euthanized from their injuries or the mental damage that had been done by these excuses for human beings. So yes, justice was served, as far as our law allows. Personally I would loved to have seen these men starved and turned on each other with no care for their wounds until they were all dead, perhaps electrocuted if they didn't perform well enough for the spectators as one dog was. How much harder can you fight than for your life? I personally hope they all find their own personal hell while in the prison system. And I sincerely hope there is a greater justice waiting for them further down the line.
These seven individuals were all from southwestern Illinois. According to records: " Pre-sentencing documents prepared for that court showed the men had the dogs electrocuted or shot for poor performance or serious injuries from the fighting ring, or left them to freeze to death while chained to a stake in the ground without shelter."
The saddest fact from all of the cases you hear about is the lack of remorse. Their mouths may utter the words to get a lighter sentence or to get their high paying career back; but actual remorse? Not that I have heard. I actually got a comment from a self proclaimed "cockfighter" who praised the men that participated in these sports as "good" men. Well sir, my definition of a good man and yours obviously are worlds apart. While I sincerely hope that tougher sentencing will deter some of these atrocities, there is still much work to be done. I applaud those that fight these crimes on a daily basis. Keep fighting.
Here is the story of Stallone, a six-year old pit bull, the face of dog fighting.
"On the day he was rescued, his entire head was a mangled mass of swollen, gaping, infected wounds - eyes, ears, muzzle, lips, nose, chin, neck - no part was left unscathed. Some of the puncture wounds penetrated to the bone. He had been forced to fight recently and often.
Stallone did not choose to live the life of a fighting dog - when not desperately defending his life, he was housed alone in a filthy kennel with a mud floor, not able to even lick many of his untreated injuries. Stallone was very underweight and in extreme pain which could not be eased. Sadly, he was humanely euthanized -- the tragically unfortunate end to a dog's life ruined as a result of the "sport" of dog fighting." HSMO
As always, thanks for reading. Get involved when you see something that in your heart you know is wrong. Just placing a phone call can mean the difference between a life of torture and a second chance for a lot of animals. Keepsake16@yahoo.com
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