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Pit bull dogs rescued in raid face uncertain future
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Photo: HSUS
It was the most comprehensive dog fighting bust in U.S. history as law enforcement agencies from eight different states joined forces to raid multiple dog fighting operations on July 8, 2009. To date 30 people have been arrested and 400-plus dogs have been rescued.
The focus now needs to be on the uncertain future of the rescued pit bull dogs and the decisions the Humane Society of Missouri, who is sheltering the dogs, will make on their behalf.
The Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) is already making some disparaging comments about the future of the dogs, even tough the group has agreed to evalute each of the dogs to determine if they can be rehabilitated.
Wayne Pacelle, the CEO of HSUS told the Associated Press, “If you have 15 or 20 dogs, it’s potentially manageable to evaluate and place those who pass the test. But when you’re talking about 450 dogs, it strains the capacity of the adoption network. Evaluation is just one part of it. The other question is do the new environments exist?”
Pacelle may be correct in that assumption. This raid occurred during a time when animal shelters and rescue groups are inundated with unwanted cats and dogs due to the slowdown in the economy and home foreclosures. The U.S. is already euthanizing 3.7 million pets because there are not enough homes.
The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) also worked on the raid. Their animal behaviorist, Randall Lockwood who helped evaluate Michael Vick’s dogs after they were taken into custody in 2007 was equally pessimistic. He believes there are more “fighters” in this group and that could mean fewer dogs saved.
But even with all of this negativity, the rescued pit bulls have a lot going in their favor. First, the public has seen the successful rehabilitation of the dogs seized from Michael Vick. In this case 51 dogs were seized and 47 were saved. All of these dogs have been rehabilitated and placed in new homes or in sanctuaries. In addition, two of the pits have become therapy dogs.
The heartbreak of Michael Vick’s dog fighting ring has given animal welfare organizations a new way to think about pit bull dogs raised to fight. Twenty-two of the most traumatized pits went to live at the Best Friends sanctuary in Utah. Ledy VanKavage is a lawyer for the group and he urges the HSUS to consider, “Not all dogs involved in dog fighting are aggressive. Some are breeders, others, bait.” “It just shows you that dogs are individuals.”
Even during this first week of their rescue it’s been reported that many of the dogs have been seen happily wagging their tails. It’s going to take some time to sort out the future of these canines and it may take help from the public to keep them safe.
The one thing these dogs do not have is a benefactor to pay for their upkeep and rehabilitation. In Michael Vick’s case he was ordered by the court to pay nearly $1 million for his dog’s care.
To help out, Petsmart Charities has sent their “Relief Waggin” with $60,000 worth of supplies and manpower. They’ve delivered crates, carriers, bowls and leashes. They have also supplied the Humane Society of Missouri with fans, a generator, tents and staff to set up an emergency shelter.
The public can also help save these innocent dogs with donations or by contributing much needed supplies. The Humane Society of Missouri lists ways to help on their website.
With public support, the pit bull dogs from this raid can be saved or at least given an unbiased chance to have a new start at life. Hopefully they will be seen as victims of a crime and not as aggressive monsters.
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