This past week Boxer Luv took in a one year old beautiful fawn boy, we named Trooper.  Trooper had been left at the animal shelter with multiple wounds, as a result of being used as a bait dog.  You may be wondering, What is a bait dog? 

Sometimes when we get “bait dogs” in our rescue people think that means they are fighting dogs and that is not the case. A bait dog is a dog that is used to get the actual fighting dogs excited prior to fighting. Bait dogs have their teeth filed down so they are completely defenseless and can do nothing to protect themselves. If they don’t have filed teeth (which most do that we’ve seen) they will duct tape their mouths before throwing them in the fighting pit with the fighting dogs. They allow the fighting dogs to maul and often kill the bait dogs as the smell of the blood and the viciousness of their fighting is increased by using these defenseless animals.  Sometimes, they even put a young female in heat in the ring to get the intact male fighting dogs to be even more aggressive and fight to the death.  It is torture and the thought of people doing this for FUN is intolerable.

Sometimes we get to a bait dog in time.  With medical care and a lot of love and patience, these dogs are rehabilitated and are able to trust humans and other dogs again.  In Trooper's case he was suffering from malnutrition, as well as a multitude of bites (some old and healed).  Many of the bites were so infected; you could smell them several feet away.  He was unable to walk and we feared he had broken bones.  We rushed him to the vet, where he was evaluated, cleaned up and started on antibiotics.  Our first update seemed positive.  No broken bones.  However, Trooper took a turn for the worse and as a result of the infection and internal bleeding he passed away on August 23, 2009.  We only had this boy in our care for a very short time, but the pain this boy suffered and the tragedy of his death have hit all of the volunteers at the rescue hard.

Because he was left at the animal shelter, we do not know who is responsible for his death and will be unable to have charges filed against anyone in his case.  We are looking for any information anyone might have to help us find the people involved in this heinous crime.

The bottom line is that we, as rescue people, and animal lovers, have to be strong and truly learn to listen and trust your instincts if you suddenly hear or see a situation that just doesn't smell right as it relates to people and animals.  Granted Phoenix isn't properly equipped with enough police on payroll to investigate these or other abusive circumstances but if you detect something isn't right, call the police department and keep calling.  They will eventually investigate but sometimes it takes perseverance, patience and endurance on our parts to be the voices that the dogs don't have.  We are fortunate to have both the Police and Sherriff's department that are very supportive in stopping the violent sport of Dog Fighting. 

If suspect animal abuse, please contact The Arizona Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals hotline  # 602-246-8280 or Sheriff Joe’s Animal Cruelty hotline 602.876.1681.  The Animal Defense League of Arizona 602-273-7842 may also be able to help.

$5,000 REWARD
The Humane Society of the United States is offering up to $5,000 for
information leading to the arrest and conviction of any person
involved in illegal animal fighting.
The HSUS Animal Fighting Tip Line is 1-877-TIP-HSUS

The pictures below are graphic, but important to see.