COLUMBUS (WCMH) – What happens next for the dogs seized in yesterday’s suspected dog fighting ring bust?
This is an ongoing investigation and because these animals are still considered evidence, there is very little information being released about them.
“The dogs that were seized in this case are getting outstanding care,” says executive director of the Capital Area Humane Society Rachel Finney.
She says each of the dogs seized yesterday are being individually evaluated for health and temperament.
“They’ve got comfortable bedding, they’ve got toys,” she says. “They’re getting all of their needs met and that’s really critical.”
She says each dog is also being scanned for a micro-chip.
“We have no indication that the dogs seized in this case are missing or lost pets,” says Finney.
She says bringing down a suspected dog fighting network of this magnitude takes a lot of time and is difficult to do.
“This is the first time in a long time we were able to identify a network of dog fighting and you don’t get many opportunities to go in and take take a stand against it,” says Finney.
Vice president of the ASPCA Field Investigation and Response Team Tim Rickey says they work on dog fighting cases all across the nation, including this one here in Columbus.
“It’s much more common than people think,” he says. “The dogs in this case are the victims. These animals don’t choose this lifestyle. They’re forced into it, often times bred into it.
He says they’re committed to eventually getting these dogs adopted in a responsible way.
“These animals are the victims and they deserve a second chance and we’ll be fighting hard to give them that,” says Rickey.
Finney says if and when these animals are ready to be placed with a new family, they will not be available locally. She says this is to avoid suspects or defendants in this case from trying to get the animals back.
Rickey says not all of the dogs will be adoptable and that some will have to stay in rescue groups.
If you suspect any kind of dog fighting in your neighborhood, call this number: 614-777-7387 EXT. 250What others are clicking on:
