The United States is cracking down on dogfighting, as shown by the sweeping raids on July 8, 2009 which yielded 26 arrests across seven states and the seizure of 450 pit bulls bred to fight. This is the biggest dogfighting raid in US history according to the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS).
But as raids on dogfighting rings step up, the HSUS and animal adoption groups face a dilemma: Can they find homes for all the rescued dogs?
Dogfighting raids have increased since the 2007 arrest and conviction of former Atlanta quarterback Michael Vick in Virginia for breeding fighting dogs and engaging in dog fights became a rallying point for animal rights activists.
The successful adoption of Mr. Vick's dogs showed that even dogs bred to fight can find good homes. Media publicity and work by shelter organizations means all the rescued dogs from the July 8 raids are likely to find a home. The Humane Society of Missouri has taken more than 300 dogs from the raids, and the dogs will be evaluated by behavioral experts to see if they can be rehabilitated.
But in general, pit bull adoption agencies are overwhelmed. Thousands of pit bulls are euthanized each day in the United States, experts say. The breeding and handling of pit bulls plays a huge role in their temperament, which can run the gamut from gentle to overtly aggressive, even deadly. There are a number of temperament tests on the market, but none can fully guarantee future behavior, making pit bulls a special case in the dog adoption world.
Source: yahoo; Photo: ap
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