The animals were living in horrible conditions, were in dire need of medical attention

Nov 20, 2013 20:56 GMT  ·  By
Police officers rescue 31 dogs and puppies living in horrible conditions in Alabama
   Police officers rescue 31 dogs and puppies living in horrible conditions in Alabama

Yesterday, the Humane Society in the United States announced that a total of 31 dogs and puppies had been rescued from three different properties in Tallapoosa County, Alabama.

The animals were all living in horrible conditions, and the folks who saved them say that very few of them had access to clean water or proper shelter.

Police officers detail that the majority of the pooches were chained to stakes at the time when they served the search warrants, and that almost all were in dire need of medical attention.

Some of the injuries that these dogs and pups have on their bodies are consistent with dogfighting, but authorities are yet to prove beyond a shadow of a doubt that the pooches had in fact been abused and forced to take part in illegal fights.

Janette Reever with the Humane Society of the United States is fairly sure that the people who owned the dogs were part of local dogfighting rings, and said that, “Today marks the beginning for these dogs – they’ll never again have to fight for entertainment or live at the end of a chain.”

“We’re grateful to Alabama law enforcement for their continued efforts to end dogfighting and for allowing us to help rescue these dogs,” she added.

John McKelvey with the New Site Police Department shares her opinion and, speaking on behalf of authorities in Alabama, stressed that, “We’re determined to put an end to the barbaric practice of dogfighting in our state. We couldn’t have saved these dogs without the help of The Humane Society of the United States and the Montgomery Humane Society.”

The 32 dogs and puppies rescued following these three raids are presently kept at an undisclosed location. They are to remain there until ongoing investigations end and authorities decide what is to be done with their owners.

Vets are treating their injuries and assessing their behavior. The pooches that prove friendly enough will be put up for adoption, and will hopefully find new, loving homes.