Hundreds of Midwest Dogs Start New Lives After Dog Fighting Raid

by Stephanie Feldstein · 2009-11-24 09:00:00 UTC
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In a single summer day, over 500 pit bulls across eight states were rescued in the largest dog fighting raid in U.S. history. While the federal courts sorted out the dog fighting case, the Humane Society of Missouri set up a massive temporary shelter to care for these dogs. Every single day, for several months, teams of staff and volunteers kept the dogs (and the 100+ puppies born after the rescue) fed, exercised, and socialized.

Early in the year, following a bust in North Carolina, a debate raged about whether dogs rescued from fighting rings were a lost cause, with the Humane Society of the United States leading the charge that led to the euthanasia of all 127 dogs that had been seized. Thankfully, history did not repeat itself. With dedication and the belief that these dogs could be, and should be, saved, the Missouri team recently sent off dozens of their rescues to adopters and foster homes across the country. Many of those pit bulls are now in homes with other dogs.

Pit Bull Rescue Central has been blogging updates on some of the Missouri 500 as they start their new lives. These stories of abused dogs re-discovering the world is proof, once again, that they deserve a second chance. They weren't born fighters. These dogs were victims of a cruel bloodsport that used their loyalty and strength against them. In any large group of dogs, you'll get some that are too sick, injured, aggressive, or mentally scarred to be put up for adoption. But most have the resilience to adjust to a kinder existence and, in time, their true loving, goofy personalities shine through.

What these dogs fought was the odds ... and they're getting the lives they should have had all along.

Photo: One of the Missouri 500 in her new happy home.

Stephanie Feldstein is a Change.org Editor who has been part of the animal welfare and rescue community for over a decade, and most recently worked for an environmental organization.
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