Scarred, Abused Dogs Rescued After Dogfighting Ring Exposed
When authorities raided a remote property in Indiana, they uncovered a haunting scene: over a dozen dogs caught in a brutal dogfighting ring that had operated in secret for months, even years.
The dogs were discovered in terrible heat without water, food or shade. Many of the dogs showed telltale signs of years of abuse. But the story has a happy ending. Keep reading for heartwarming news about the horrible situation.
Famous NFL Player’s Arrest Shined Light On Underground Dogfighting
Dogs are the most popular pets in the U.S. But not everyone gets dogs for companionship. There are huge, ugly dogfighting rings throughout the country. A famous NFL player’s involvement in a dogfighting ring shined a light on the illegal, underground activity.
In 2007, authorities were investigating a cousin of Philadelphia Eagles player Michael Vick for alleged drug activity. But what the police discovered on property in Virginia owned by the NFL star shocked everyone.
The investigators discovered evidence of a huge underground dogfighting ring. Michael Vick was officially charged in July 2007. He later took a plea deal and pleaded guilty to conspiracy charges related to the dogfighting ring.
He was sentenced to nearly two years in prison but was released after just eighteen months. Vick resumed his career in the NFL before retiring in 2017.
A book called The Lost Dogs released in 2010 details Michael Vick’s involvement in the dogfighting ring. But most importantly, it shared the aftermath for the animals. The majority of the animals rescued from the dogfighting ring found homes and lived happy lives after years of abuse.
Scarred, Abused Dogs Rescued After Dogfighting Ring Exposed
The Lost Dogs revealed the resilience of our four-legged friends. Unfortunately, dog abuse is all too common. A dogfighting ring in Indiana was recently exposed and rescuers found the same was true for those animals.
The director for the Humane World for Animals organization said, “Between the suffocating heat, filthy conditions and bodies covered in scars — it’s incomprehensible. Yet these dogs still greeted us with wagging tails and hopeful eyes.”
Over a dozen dogs were rescued in Fort Wayne, Indiana, from deplorable conditions and an alleged dogfighting ring. Authorities raided two properties and what they found was horrendous.
According to PEOPLE magazine, one property had “dogfighting paraphernalia, including two treadmills and a stand typically used in dogfighting operations to restrain dogs for breeding.”
Twenty-two dogs were found at another property. Most of the dogs were chained outside without water or shelter in 100-degree heat. Several dogs were infested with fly eggs.
According to the law, dogfighting is a felony and perpetrators can face up to five years in prison.
The rescued dogs were taken to another location where they can be examined, get healthy, and hopefully find loving homes.
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