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What will become of 450 seized pit bulls?
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The St. Louis Post-Dispatch, Emily Rasinski/AP Photo
Animal rights groups say chances are slim that the 450 pit bulls seized during dogfighting raids last week will be rehabilitated and find loving homes.
The stereotype attached to pit bulls, the total number of dogs already in shelters and a growing number of pets being surrendered every day will make for a very difficult happy ending, advocates say.
The dogs were taken by agents last week during what The Humane Society of the United States is calling the largest fighting ring crackdown in U.S. history.
Twenty-six men are facing federal criminal charges for allegedly running dogfighting operations in six states: Texas, Nebraska, Oklahoma, Mississippi, Iowa and Missouri.
Wayne Pacelle, president and CEO of the Human Society of the United States, told the Associated Press it will be difficult to evaluate and place that many dogs. He also questioned whether there are enough homes and shelters to accommodate them.
Great success was seen in rehabilitating or placing the dogs from former NFL star Michael Vick’s operation. Forty-seven of the 51 dogs seized from Vick were either adopted or placed at the Best Friends Animal Sanctuary in Utah. Some of them even became therapy dogs.
Vick pleaded guilty in August 2007 to operating a dogfighting ring. A court ordered Vick to pay nearly $1 million for his dogs' care, but not everyone has that kind of money to tap.
Randall Lockwood, an animal behaviorist who assisted in evaluating Vick’s pit bulls, said this group of dogs includes more “fighters.” That alone may mean few of the dogs can be saved.
The public is already asking how it can help. At this time, it is uncertain how long it will take to sort everything out – not to mention how much it’s going to cost to care for the dogs.
Back in the 1920s, the American Pit Bull Terrier was portrayed as a loving family pet named Pete from the Our Gang television show. By the 1980s, the breed was a favorite for inner city dog fights.
In 2007, President George W. Bush signed into law the Animal Fighting Prohibition Enforcement Act. The law makes dog fighting a felony in all states, and carries a maximum penalty of five years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000 for each person charged.
Sources: Associated Press, ABC News
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