Bronx Dog Fighting Victims Get Second Chance
Thursday, September 6, 2012 - 11:45pm
In June, we told you about a
dog fighting bust
the ASPCA and New York Police Department conducted in the Bronx. Today,
we’re happy to share some good news: 26 of the dogs have found
placements with rescue groups, and another seven of them have placements
in the works! We’re hoping continued rehabilitation and forever homes
are just around the corner.
Partners that have embraced these canine survivors include St.
Hubert’s Animal Welfare Center in Madison, New Jersey; Charles Henderson
Animal Rescue in Brooklyn, New York; Columbia Greene Humane Society in
Hudson, New York, and Animal Rescue League of New Hampshire in Bedford.
Some dogs have also been transferred to the ASPCA’s Adoption Center in
Manhattan.
These dogs’ lives are already so different from the ones they led
just a few short months ago. On June 21, we found them living in the
windowless basement of a six-story apartment building with a makeshift
fighting arena.Also discovered on scene were a loaded .25-caliber
handgun, U.S. currency and other equipment associated with dog
fighting—including dog treadmills, harnesses, muzzles, syringes and a
shopping cart full of raw chicken parts.
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.
While the majority of the dogs in this case may be rehabilitated,
some were far too dangerous for placement. These dogs were 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, displayed highly aggressive
behavior. After extensive evaluations, all decisions to euthanize were
based on recommendations of multiple behavior professionals who weighed
in objectively and independently, with the best interest of each
individual animal in mind.
The dogs’ owner, Raul Sanchez of the Bronx, was arrested during the
raid and arraigned on 63 counts of animal fighting, six counts of
aggravated animal cruelty, six counts of animal cruelty, and one count
of criminal possession of a weapon. If convicted, he faces up to four
years in jail.
The ASPCA’s Legal Advocacy team is providing support to the Bronx District Attorney’s Office in this case.
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