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Dogs seized in alleged fighting ring now adoptable
Posted at: 09/06/2012 5:06 PM
| Updated at: 09/07/2012 10:22 AM
By: Beth Wurtmann
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HUDSON - Four dogs have the chance of a new and happier start after investigators said they were abused at an illegal dog fighting operation in the Bronx.
Now the canines are up for adoption in Columbia County, because the ASPCA is working with its partners like the Humane Society in Hudson.
Animal welfare workers hoped to find good homes for dogs they said have come through an extremely challenging situation.
One of them is Daphe, a pit bull mix who made an amazing recovery from a very hard life. She's just one of the dogs seized during a raid on a Bronx apartment house in what police are calling an illegal and elaborate dog fighting ring.
"They set up the basement in an arena, a dog fighting arena where there were spectators. They would fight them, 50 dogs in a small area," said Ron Perez of the Columbia-Greene Humane Society.
Daphe has visible scars on her head and muzzle that Perez said are from bite marks. They are kind of wounds that New York City Police also said were consistent with fighting.
Investigators said the canines were kept in boxes with no light, some underweight with skin infections and medical problems. They also said they found a loaded handgun, cash and dog fighting paraphernalia,
"It's pretty horrific, deplorable conditions I couldn't even describe. Difficult to describe how bad it was," said NYPD Deputy Inspector Anthony Favale back during the raid in June.
More than two months after the raid, four the dogs were transferred from the ASPCA to the adoption clinic in Hudson. Besides Daphne, that includes Amber, Laila and Piggie, who was named for her big appetite.
Staff said all four dogs have made a big comeback and hope some special families will giving them a fighting chance at happiness.
"They're special dogs They're still friendly. They like people. Everything they've been though? They're a special animal," Perez said.
Raul Sanchez, superintendant of that Bronx apartment building, is charged with multiple counts of animal fighting and cruelty.
If you're interested in adopting of the four dogs here, visit the humane society's website or call 518-828-6044.
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