Wednesday, July 8, 2009

Suspected Dogfighting Raids Yield 200 Seized Dogs

Raids conducted in Missouri, Illinois and Texas, per CBS News:
Authorities have arrested about 30 people and seized about 200 dogs in dogfighting raids Wednesday across three states, the Justice Department said.
The release from HSUS lists even more states (Iowa, Oklahoma and Arkansas).

The Humane Society of Missouri is helping in the evaluations for the dogs:

While they are being cared for, each dog will be evaluated by animal behavior experts from the Humane Society of Missouri and other organizations to determine their suitability for possible placement with rescue groups or individual adopters. The Humane Society of Missouri will make recommendations about each animal to the U.S. District Court which will make the final decision for each animal.

“We are committed to giving dogs who have come from such horrible abuse the absolute best chance for a good life,” said Debbie Hill, vice president of Operations for the Humane Society of Missouri and director of the temporary shelter. “It is a tragedy that because of mistreatment by humans for financial gain and so-called sport, many dogs used in animal fighting may not ever be able to be placed in a home situation.”

But not too "many", I hope.

5 comments:

EmilyS said...

I don't like the sound of that.

Katie said...

There was, not long ago, a big puppymill bust here. They moved all the dogs into the local farmshow complex to treat and size up the situation. There was a huge effort to help these dogs- HSUS carted in some mouthpiece to "organize" and to speak to the media.

The HSUS person said all the right things of course, and I read this story and wonder where the hell she is now. Why isn't she there helping these dogs who were pulled from such a horrifying place, who were treated so poorly and abused by their caretakers.

The contrast in response stands so starkly in my mind right now and I can't shake it.

EmilyS said...

MarthinaC of OurPack gently (in her way) reprimanded me over at RealPitBulForum... she has worked with this Mo HS person and says very positive things about her and her history with pit bulls. Mo. HS has no organizational connection to HSUS as far as I can tell from their website (and most state HS don't). It looks like donations to them will be appropriate.

HSUS? I'm still not buying what they're selling.

YesBiscuit! said...

Apparently they had a 50% kill rate on their previous bust dog seizure. I guess that's "many".

Our Pack said...

Sorry about the reprimand Em. Wasn't meant to be, it was just to clear things up and of course only from what I know. Also, it's MarthinaM :))

Shirley, I think the 50% (again from what I know, that doesn't mean everything) kill rate was due to the fact that there was no place to put the dogs. If you're talking about the Stoddard County case I don't think it was that many but if so it wasn't due to Debbie Hill.

I worked with her on that case and I really got that she was very sincere in helping these dogs. I could be wrong and could have misread her but I don't think so. I suppose someone can change but when I worked on the Stoddard County case with her she was asking me if I could rec anyone else that could take Pit Bulls in again and again because she wanted to get more out. She asked me if I suddenly get room after taking Zoe (then her name was Haley) would I please take more.
This does not sound like someone who is just killing the dogs and finding reasons to do so. Most folks out there just simply have no-place-to-put-them. Of course there are the profiling folks too, I've spoken with them as well.

Also, I've already been in contact with her re this recent bust. She was overjoyed with !!!!! all over the email that we'd be willing to help, that is if/when there's a real conviction and due process has been served, of course.

Who knows how the quote came out by media. I know how that goes. Also, some of these dogs actually can be extremely damaged from these jerks that have abused them.

I cannot vouch for HSUS....at all.