Last week I shared how I found Sabrina dying and starving to death on the streets of Nashville. 

A few days later I brought her to my veterinarian.  The scars on her back, belly, legs and face caused both of us to believe this dog had been used for fighting, then breeding, and had miraculously escaped her confinement.  My veterinarian suggested euthanasia and I strongly considered it.  Even in her appalling condition (she had 5 types of worms including heartworm, had a vaginal infection, was severely malnourished and had some problems with her teeth) she was still dog aggressive.  But then she looked at me with those tender brown eyes, gave an impressive Pit Bull smile, and licked my hand.  $1,000 and one week later I brought her home and began running ads trying to find her a loving home.  The only people interested in adopting her wanted to use her for protection.  During her three month recovery period, I frequently would hear her scream whenever she fell asleep: it was a primal sound –one that quickly made my eyes water because I have never heard such desperate screams from either a person or an animal.  Eventually, I quit running ads and she stopped screaming in her sleep.  
 
Dog fight operators scar society on many levels.  They subject dogs to a painful and hopeless future, they adversely affect an entire breed, and they place a heavy financial and emotional burden on city budgets and individuals unable to turn a blind eye to abuse.  As Wisconsin State Journalist readers know, last year, a local man cost the city approximately $200,000 when his dog fight ring was busted.  47 Pit Bulls were forced to be caged for months because the animals were considered “evidence”, other adoptable dogs were turned away from the Dane County Shelter because it was full, staff workers were overwhelmed by the responsibility, and surrounding shelters were also overwhelmed because they were forced to absorb the overflow.  In the end most of the seized Pit Bulls needed to be euthanized along with other dogs and cats that were mortally effect by the shelter’s space limitations during this highly stressful time.  

Currently the Pit Bull breed is suffering due to the “fight” stigma.  Most major cities routinely euthanize Pit Bulls immediately when they are turned in to a shelter even though Pit Bulls typically are no threat to people, and most have a very low aggression level toward other dogs.  In Denver Colorado, it’s illegal to have a Pit Bull.  If the city discovers you have a pet Pit Bull, you and your dog can move, or the city kills your dog.  Almost all insurance companies have them as a “banned” breed which means they can only be adopted by home owners, not renters, and the home owners must be willing to install a 6 foot privacy fence or be willing to keep their dog confined.  Individuals like me are forced to change lifestyle or we are forced to make the decision to end the life of a healthy dog (through euthanasia) if we cannot find someone willing to adopt.   

But, the reach of dog fight rings goes far beyond abusing animals and extends into the abuse of children, snuff films, spousal abuse and human slave trafficking.  Researchers at the University of Washington are working on a project called “the link”.  Their research supports the belief that animal abuse is typically the first sign of those that would abuse another person. 

Next week I’ll tell you a little more about Sabrina and the Pit Bull breed.  I’d recommend “Pit Bulls for Dummies” which you can buy on the link below.  You may also want to check out Out of the Pits website.