Happy Tales for Former Fighting Dogs

Dozens of Pit Bulls Rescued from Dogfighting Rings are Finding Homes

(AP)  Dozens of American pit bull terriers netted in the largest dogfighting raid in U.S. history are finding homes despite some who predicted aggression or trauma would make them unsuitable as pets.

More than 120 of the animals have been placed in foster homes or are headed there this week through the efforts of pit bull rescue groups throughout the U.S. An additional 117, like the scarred but smiling Tulip, await their turn.

"They are not a vicious animal. They are the victims of abuse," said Debbie Hill, vice president of operations for the Humane Society of Missouri. "That face and their eyes tell the story. They only want to be in someone's home, on a couch, or sleeping at someone's feet, maybe chew up a rug or two for entertainment. They're learning for the first time how to be a dog."

In the days leading up to the July 8 raid, the Humane Society secured a cavernous industrial warehouse in St. Louis that it transformed into an emergency shelter for the hundreds of dogs seized in Missouri and Illinois. About 100 dogs seized in other states were taken by rescue groups elsewhere.

Once at the Missouri shelter, dogs were tested by a national team of certified animal behaviorists, taken on walks, and allowed to chew on bowling balls stuffed with peanut butter. Some finicky eaters were treated to home-cooked chicken breasts to supplement meals of dog food.

The Human Society offered The Associated Press first access to the site Tuesday. During the tour, puppies born since the raid took turns playing tug of war with a chew toy in a play room. Humane Society staff members pulled a catering cart down a long row of dog cages, calling animals by name as they slid them bowls of food.

Some, like Pacific, were shy, quivering in fear of new visitors. Others were extroverts, springing on hind legs to say hello.

The foster homes will acclimate the dogs to the noises and rules of a household, and teach them basic manners.

Animal behaviorist Pamela Reid, who was part of the team that evaluated the dogs, said a surprising two-thirds tested well for nonaggression and adoptability. She's fostering one puppy, although one of her favorite dogs had to be euthanized because he showed aggression toward men.

Hill said 160 dogs were put down because of injuries, illness or behavior. None of the puppies showed aggression, Reid said.

Tim Rickey, who heads the Humane Society's anticruelty task force, said the raids proved the underground dogfighting industry is pervasive.

"We scratched the surface," Rickey said. "We could have done several of these (raids) in Missouri alone."

[bubbadubba]

Aw how sweet.
I am sure most of the homes have children and when the dog tears up and kills their child to pieces or kills the elderly neighbor or neighbor's kid the family will say "how can this happen?" then of course the mandatory denial "that might look like my dog and have an ID saying it is my dog but my dog did not do it".
And don't forget, you cannot own a Pit Bull unless you have no insurance to pay for the 300,000 hospital bill and you must have nothing so when you get sued the injured person gets nothing and goes bankrupt.
Bring a fighting dog into your home and expose your neighbors to it?
America the insane.

[Bayou123]

Another comment about my bulldog, Toke (he was already named before I got him)... Just about everyday some of the neighborhood kids would be knocking at my door. They would ask, "Miss Cathy, can Toke come out and play"? His tail would be wagging, he would be jumping around, eager to go out and play with the kids. The kids favorite game would be to ride their bikes and Toke would chase them and try to pull the kids off their bikes. The kids who could stay on their bikes were the winners of the game. I guess, it was pull the kids off the bikes game for my dog. The kids would spend hours at my house playing with my bulldog. One mom told me that she never worried about her two boys as long as they were with Toke. He absolutely loved kids.

[Bayou123]

I've owned bulldogs a lot of years of my life. They are the best dogs. They will protect and love the owners that love them back. They will even protect the cats that they are raised with since puppies. I cried for two years when my Grandmother died. I cried for twelve years when Toke, my bulldog, died. I still cry. That says a lot about the love I had for that dog. He would have protected me with his life. He would have protected my son with his life. If I invited someone to come into my house Toke knew they were welcome. If someone came to my door and I didn't invite them him he knew they were not welcome. He would stand guard and give them a growl and show some teeth. They didn't dare enter my house. I've never had anyone in my life that loved me as much as that dog and I never will.

[cdegolier]

We only hear about dog attacks by pitbulls because of what society thinks of the breed. The have the second best temperment, second to the golden retriver. It is not the breed, but the owners. My neighbors dog, a Rottweiler killed a cat another one killed a dog and bit the neighbor. The pitbull next door has gotten out on occassion and done nothing, despite the lack of attention it gets from its owners. Precoz, you are an idiot that needs to be eliminated. Every dog can become dangerous when trained to do so. Pitbulls are chosen as fighting dogs because of their need to please their master, they will die for them. People are the problem and always have been, don't blame the dog especially since you have no idea what you are talking about.

[Overruled1]

In reality all dogs bite...
My friends' chiwawa was more violent than my Staffordishire ever was except when in acting in my defense under attack by 3 wild dogs, 1 alpha...the 1 dog was persistant, the others chickened away when I approached with a vicious resolve. It's those alpha dogs that have to be trained differently.
That chiwawa still chased my dog around...and the mail was stopped because of that dog.

[cdegolier]

We only hear about dog attacks by pitbulls because of what society thinks of the breed. The have the second best temperment, second to the golden retriver. It is not the breed, but the owners. My neighbors dog, a Rottweiler killed a cat another one killed a dog and bit the neighbor. The pitbull next door has gotten out on occassion and done nothing, despite the lack of attention it gets from its owners. Precoz, you are an idiot that needs to be eliminated. Every dog can become dangerous when trained to do so. Pitbulls are chosen as fighting dogs because of their need to please their master, they will die for them. People are the problem and always have been, don't blame the dog especially since you have no idea what you are talking about.

[precoz22]

There are been news of hundreds of assault by Pit Bulls, some causing fatal injuries on minors, since a lot of good dogs have been put to death in shelters around the country. Why just not to eliminate this damaging and maliciously bred race altogether? ... Our false sense of love is destroying our way of life.