Hundreds rescued in cross-state dog fighting raid
© WSPA
On 8 July 2009, WSPA member societies the ASPCA, the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS), and United Animal Nations (UAN) assisted in an operation to rescue 407 dogs from multiple organised dog fighting rings throughout the Midwest region of the United States.
Following a lengthy investigation – spurred by evidence collected by the Humane Society of Missouri (HSMO) – officers from multiple federal and state law enforcement agencies made arrests and seized dogs in eight states: Missouri, Mississippi, Nebraska, Illinois, Iowa, Texas, Oklahoma and Arkansas.
This was the largest simultaneous dog fighting raid and rescue in United States history and a great example of how national and local animal welfare organisations can work together to combat the barbaric animal fighting industry.
Working together for animals
HSUS had been doing logistical preparation for the raids for more than a month, transporting equipment and specialised emergency shelter kenneling for hundreds of dogs to Missouri.
Dozens of HSUS experts and volunteers gathered to provide animal handling, transport, sheltering and documentation assistance. Dozens more volunteers were deployed through UAN’s Emergency Animal Rescue Service (EARS).
Thirty-seven dedicated EARS volunteers – who had been specially trained to handle large dogs in stressful situations – travelled from as far away as Virginia and Pennsylvania to provide care for the hundreds of rescued dogs.
The ASPCA lent the services of its special forensic cruelty investigation team – including disaster animal rescuers, field service investigators and Dr Melinda Merck, the nation’s premier forensic veterinarian – to collect evidence for the prosecution of the criminal case.
The ASPCA’s Mobile Animal Crime Scene Investigation Unit, outfitted with medical equipment tailored specifically for animal patients, was also on hand.
Owning or training a fighting dog is illegal throughout the US, meaning the dogs’ former owners may face custodial sentences if convicted.
Better lives now possible
The rescued dogs were transported to a secure facility under the direction of the HMSO Animal Cruelty Task Force, where they are being cared for until final disposition is determined by the United States District Court.
Each dog is being evaluated by animal behavior experts to determine their suitability for possible placement with rescue groups or individual adopters, where they can experience a kinder side of human nature.
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