HUDSON, N.Y. - The ASPCA announced Tuesday that 26 dogs rescued from a dog fighting operation have been placed with several animal welfare groups throughout the Northeast, including the Columbia Greene Humane Society.
The Columbia-Greene Humane Society has received four dogs that are ready for adoption.
All four dogs - Piggie, Daphne, Laila, and Amber - are females, approximately between 2 and 4 years old. All four girls are up for adoption and will go home spayed, vaccinated, and health tested.
"We're proud to have these dogs at our shelter, and to be a part of their journey from a horrific life—devoid of kindness and compassion—to a loving and caring new home," said Ron Perez, President/Investigator of CGHS/SPCA.
On June 21st, a total of 50 dogs, ranging from puppies to adults, were rescued by the ASPCA from a dog fighting operation, housed in a six-story apartment building in the Bronx. Many dogs had scars that were consistent with fighting dogs. A good portion of the dogs were underweight, and had skin infections and other medical issues.
The dogs were living in crude cages in the corner room of a basement, rarely, if ever, seeing the light of day, unless they were brought outside the room to be trained or fought.
The basement included a makeshift fighting arena with capacity for dozens of spectators. Also recovered from the scene were a loaded .25-caliber handgun, multiple pet carriers, U.S. currency, and paraphernalia associated with a sophisticated dog fighting operation, including dog treadmills, harnesses, muzzles, syringes, and a shopping cart full of raw chicken parts.
Then for more than two months, ASPCA responders cared for and provided the dogs with extensive socialization, a healthy diet, medical care and exercise at a temporary shelter.
Each dog was carefully evaluated by a team of animal behavior professionals prior to being transferred to the rescue groups. Placement options for the additional seven dogs are also in the process of being finalized.
The ASPCA says unfortunately some of the dogs involved in the fighting operations needed to be euthanized due to extreme aggression, and were therefore considered to be very dangerous.
These particular dogs were tragic victims of the brutalities of dog fighting—bred over generations to exhibit aggression, trained to fight with lethal intent, subjected to a life of inhumane treatment, and as a result, showcased highly aggressive behavior. After extensive evaluations, the decisions to euthanize were based on recommendations of multiple behavior professionals who had the best interest of each individual animal in mind.
The superintendent of the building, Raul Sanchez of the Bronx, was arrested that day and arraigned on July 24 on the following charges: 63 counts of animal fighting (13 felony charges; 50 misdemeanor charges); six counts of aggravated animal cruelty (felony); six counts of animal cruelty (misdemeanor); and one count of criminal possession of a weapon (misdemeanor). If convicted, he faces up to four years in jail.
The following groups will continue to work with each dog to address its specific needs, with the hope of eventually adopting each of them to loving homes: St. Hubert's Animal Welfare Center (Madison, N.J.); Charles Henderson Animal Rescue (Brooklyn, N.Y.); Columbia Greene Humane Society (Hudson, N.Y.); and Animal Rescue League of New Hampshire (Bedford, N.H.). Some dogs have also been transferred to the ASPCA's Adoption Center in Manhattan.
Amber
Daphne
Laila
Piggie
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