MEET "SOLACE"
Solace is one of the dogs we rescued from the fight ring in Mayfield, Ky on November 7,2008. He was covered with wounds, both new and old. Scars from toes to tip of his nose. Parts of his ears had been bitten off and his tail was missing several inches. It wasn't hard to tell he had been fought several times. This poor boy has been through hell and back during his 5 years on earth, spent at the end of a heavy logging chain, in the woods, only coming out to fight. But those days are over for him now. Solace is currently in training, just learning to be a dog, and how to receive human affection.
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A pit bull found at the House Road property on Thursday. It has had an eye torn out, and part of its lip ripped off. Deputies say it's clear evidence of dog fighting.
GRAVES COUNTY, KY- There could be a future for many of the 72 dogs seized Thursday after the arrests of two people allegedly involved in pit bull fighting.
Joanal DeBerry and Amy DeBerry face animal cruelty charges in Graves County. They were arrested Wednesday night at their home on Highway 1241. A third person, Thomas McClellen, was arrested on drug charges. Deputies found dozens of dogs tied up in their yard. They found about 20 more pit bulls at a separate location on House Road. All of the dogs have been signed over to the Mayfield-Graves County Animal Shelter. The 20 pit bulls at the House Road location were seized Thursday night. Eleven:Eleven Bully Breed Rescue and Safe Haven of Dickson, TN will be at the home on Highway 1241 in the morning. There are still about 46 dogs still being held there.
The investigation stems from the discovery of 72 pit bulls in two places in Graves County on Nov. 5. The next day, McCracken County authorities found 11 dead pit pulls that had been shot in the head in Clark's River. In both cases, Hayden said, the dogs had scars consistent with fighting.
GRAVES COUNTY, KY - The key suspect in what authorities call a dog-fighting ring appeared in a Graves County court Monday. Joanal DeBerry plead not guilty to multiple charges including 30 counts of animal cruelty. Graves County district court judge Deborah Crooks said today that DeBerry has an extensive criminal record including a prior animal cruelty conviction in Fulton County.
Ky. authorities uncover pit bull fighting operation
Posted:
Nov 8, 2008 06:05 PM CST
Updated:
Dec 11, 2008 06:00 PM CST
Kentucky authorities uncovered a major dog fighting operation Thursday in Graves County.
Pit bull rescue groups from Middle Tennessee spent Friday and Saturday getting the dogs on the road to recovery.
Jason Ayer helps run the Dickson-based group Eleven:Eleven Bully Rescue and Safe Haven, which partnered with another group in Clarksville to take 22 dogs.
He told News 2 many of the dogs were chained in the woods, with little food and only a plastic barrel for shelter.
"He's had three meals [Friday] night and three small meals [Saturday], already," Ayer said of one of the dogs. "He's actually put on a little bit of weight. [Friday], believe it or not, he was skinnier than this."
The dogs have already been tested for temperament and will be put up for adoption after they are taken to the veterinarian.
"That's the funny part about dogs like this, they've never been shown any love or affection, and when they do finally get some, they get overwhelmed," Ayer said. "They don't really know what's going on because they've never been treated good."
Click here to view pit bulls currently up for adoption.
The group is in need of blankets and food, and is also accepting donations to help pay for veterinary visits for the rescued dogs
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Solace is doing well and should return to the rescue soon, where he will become a mascot for Eleven:Eleven and an ambassador for his breed. He is proof there is hope for retired fighters, and that they are worth saving. Check back for updates on Solace |
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Pit Bulls Rescued From Ky. Dogfighting Ring
Posted:
Nov 7, 2008 10:27 PM CST
DICKSON, Tenn. - A Middle Tennessee dog rescue group is making the best of a terrible case of animal cruelty.
More than 70 pit bulls were treated like anything but man's best friend. Their owners were beaten and bred for a dog-fighting ring in Graves County, Ky.
Groups from Tennessee, Kentucky and Missouri are teaming up. Some of the dogs were so badly beaten they had to be euthanized. Fortunately most will be rehabilitated.
After a more than 100-mile trip, a truck carrying more than a dozen dogs arrived in Dickson County.
In Middle Tennessee, the pit bulls are getting more than a new home. They're getting a second chance at a normal life.
"It's pitiful. No animal deserves this kind of treatment whether it be a pit bull, Rottweiller," said Matt Brown, a volunteer.
Or any living, breathing animal.
"No matter how many times I see it you never get used to it. You never get used to it," said Jason Ayer, rescue coordinator.
The pit bulls were not bred to be pets, but to be beasts. Their owners organized dog fights. Many times the loser would die inside the ring.
"He's probably the worst one. He's missing some of his ears. Got a few battle scars. But his tail is still wagging so. He's happy to be a dog again, you know," Ayer said. "Once they get a little bit of love they open up you know. These scars will all heal. And the main scars are internal. And that's what we got to work on."
Rescue volunteers said the early signs show promise.
"A week they'll be totally different dogs, 20 pounds heavier, happy, running around," Brown said.
Leaving behind what many would call a nightmare.
On Friday, the organizations rescued more than 20 pit bulls. The goal is to give the dogs veterinary attention before they go to foster homes. Once each dog has a new home, the rescue organizations will go back to Kentucky and attempt to bring back another group of dogs.
The local group coordinating the pit bull rescue is called Eleven:Eleven Bully Rescue and Safe Haven. If you would like to help, you can donate dog food, kennels, or money for veterinary bills. To contact pit bull rescue, call Dr. James Carroll at 615-446-7080. His address is 1200 Highway 96, Burns, TN 37029
PLEASE REPORT DOGFIGHTING |
