Our die-hard volunteers spent a bleary-eyed weekend greeting these lovelies when they came in, easing those road-jitters, helping them feel welcome, and learning as much as we could about their personalities and needs. We got three of these darlings into foster homes where they’re doing great with families and other dogs, and the two remaining dears are boarding at our vet’s office while they wait and hope.

We can’t wait to share their journey as it develops, but for now, some photos from the weekend:

Over the past few weeks, we have agreed to take in nine dogs saved from three different dog fighting operations in Florida, Ohio, and South Carolina. This is a first for us, and it may even be a first for any local rescue group — nine dogs from three dogfighting busts in three states — wow!

Here’s a little preview of the sweet faces to come.

FLORIDA: In mid-December, 2011, 45 dogs were confiscated from a dog fighting bust in Sebring, FL. The dogs were kept in horrible conditions, chained, and left with algae-covered water. Many dogs were severely ill. The State of Florida has gained custody of 16 of the 45 dogs, and Love-A-Bull has worked with Florida powerhouse Dolly’s Foundation to accept transfer of three of them. The dogs have been described as friendly with people and dogs, petite, and absolutely adorable. Dolly’s Foundation will be hand-delivering these three little sweethearts on Saturday. We can’t wait!

For a touching video by Dolly’s Foundation about the Florida dogs, click here.

SOUTH CAROLINA: In October, 2011, authorities in Richland County, South Carolina arrested five suspects and seized 27 dogs involved in a dog fighting operation, several of whom were in such poor health that they were on the verge of death. Animal Farm Foundation, a national leader in advocacy, training, and evaluation of pit bull type dogs, stepped in to take custody of the dogs. Some of these dogs have been lucky enough to live in temporary foster care, where they have had ample opportunity socialize with people and other animals — and they’ve done great! Two will be transferred to Love-A-Bull this Friday.

More info on the South Carolina case and dogs is available here.

OHIO: In late December, 2011, 27 dogs were found in a dog fighting operation in Cleveland, Ohio. Suffering from physical wounds in filthy conditions, the dogs were removed and placed in the custody of the City of Cleveland Kennel. Love-A-Bull will be receiving four of these dogs.

We are especially excited about the Ohio dogs because their second chance is only possible thanks to Cleveland’s recent reversal of Breed-Discriminatory Legislation that used to treat pit bull type dogs as dangerous dogs. Thanks to the very hard work of passionate advocates, Cleveland has changed its policy, and just in time — the dogs seized in this bust are lovely animals deserving of their second chance. We are so proud to offer it to four of them here in Austin.

For more info on the Ohio dogs, click here.

Love-A-Bull needs foster homes and is accepting donations to support the care of these dogs. We are especially in need of toys, beds, and wet and dry food. Donations can be dropped off at Oak Hill Veterinary Clinic at 7101 Highway 71 West.

More information on each adoptable dog will be posted as it becomes available on http://love-a-bull.org/adopt/adoptabull/.

September was a month with some important moments, hopefully all in a positive direction — the raid on Alpha Tex Kennels in West Texas and the dog fighting ring bust in Columbia, South Carolina. Coincidentally, both occurred in the weeks prior to Austin’s Puppy Mill Awareness Day on September 25th.

MidlandsConnect.com reported that deputies had busted the suspected dog fighting ring, and made one arrest on Sept 9th, 2011.

One man was charged with two counts of violating the animal fighting and baiting act after the raid late Thursday… Sheriff Leon Lott says deputies spent Thursday night and Friday seaching for other suspects and rounding up loose dogs… They have seized 24 dogs so far.

By mid-September more dog fighting arrests were made (now a total of three persons) and the animals needed foster homes.

Investigators are hoping to get the dogs into foster homes. Right now, they cannot be permanently adopted because they are considered evidence in the case. Authorities want people to know there are misconceptions about pit bulls, and that they are not simply vicious by nature, rather they are trained to be that way.

On Oct 20th, two more were arrested in connection to the Richland Co. dog fighting raid.

"Upon investigation, it was determined the suspects used box cutters or scissors to cut the ear off of three puppies between four and five weeks of age."

All of the dogs have received medical treatment, including shots and tracking microchips. Some dogs are being fostered. Others are still in need of temporary homes. Authorities intend to give the rescued animals better lives.

Sheriff Lott said, “I found something out today that just, it kills me, it disturbs me, all other dogs in our state that have been seized in dog fighting rings were all killed, they were killed, they were killed by us, those who rescued the dogs.”

“The easiest thing that could have been done is to put these animals down, but that’s not the right thing, we are going to do the right thing,” Sheriff Lott said.

Fortunately, Love-A-Bull has been working diligently with Animal Farm Foundation over the past 3 weeks to coordinate transportation and foster homes for two of the dogs rescued from this dog fighting ring.

Joplin

Dogfighting is illegal in all 50 states, and while the Humane Society of the United States says there are not accurate statistics about dogfighting, they estimate roughly 100,000 people in the U.S. participate in the dangerous bloodsport that is often associated with illegal gambling and drug trafficking. – From MidlandsConnect.com

Farley was rescued during an eight-state dog-fighting raid, and was subsequently helped by an online Love-A-Bull  fund raiser to help pay for a mass that needed removal.

A family with decades of bully experience has given Farley a loving home. Now he spends his days with guardians Lynda and Matthew on a lovely farm where Farley can romp with a sister Staffie mix, as well as cats, chickens and horses to amuse him.

Farley was part of a dogfighting raid in 2009 that turned out to be the largest in U.S. History. After his rescue from the dog-fighting operation, this sweet boy spent the following two years in a kennel as “evidence.” He then spent about five months at the Austin Humane Society where Love-A-Bull leaders eventually became aware of him and pulled him.

It immediately became clear Farley needed surgery. Fortunately, Love-A-Bull supporters donated money for his surgery. Doctors determined Farley had a colon polyp. While manageable, the disease could present problems in the future.  Thanks to Love-A-Bull supporters, Farley has a second chance, and a wonderful home!

Watch the video of Farley at his new home.

• My Long Way Home has added a blog post about Vici and Esperanza, which includes a call to action.
• KBTX.com published this story about the pair: Locals take action against dog fighting

A puppy and mother pit bull that were beaten and burned two weeks ago in southern Brazos County are rapidly recovering from their injuries, TheEagle.com reports. The dogs are being treated at Texas A&M University’s Small Animal Hospital.

Love-A-Bull has partnered with Brazos County Crime Stoppers and Brazos Pet and Welfare Society to make a matching contribution toward a reward for information that leads to the conviction of those responsible for the attack. So far the reward is about $2,000.

TheEagle.com previously reported on how these two dogs seem to have been tortured as part of a dog fighting ring and how Vici and and Esperanza were doing early in their care at Texas A&M.

The university’s Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences staff is posting updates about the pit bulls’ recovery on the department website.

To donate directly to the university’s fund that will help cover the dogs’ medical expenses, visit AggiLand Animal Health Center & Pet Resort website.

Doctors determined T-Bird has a colon polyp. While manageable, the disease could present problems for T-Bird in the future.

After only a few days, Love-A-Bull supporters helped raise more than $2,000 for T-Bird’s medical care, an effort that organizers hoped to accomplish within two weeks.

Volunteers believed T-Bird needed surgery to remove a large mass, but were not sure of its cause until a biopsy performed earlier this week led doctors to the answer.

Before his rescue in 2009, T-Bird spent an estimated three years inside a cage as part of a dog fighting operation. He spent the following two years in a kennel as evidence.

Despite a rough life, rescuers report T-Bird has a sweet disposition.

Those who wish to contribute to a fund for T-Bird’s future care can call Oak Hill Veterinary Clinic at 512-288-1016. Please specify that you would like your donation to go toward Love-A-Bull’s fund for T-Bird.

Read more about T-Bird below:

HSUS | Eight-State Dogfighting Raid Largest in U.S. History

HSUS | Guilty Pleas Entered in Multi-State Dogfighting Raids

Gorant is a master of detail, pace and storytelling. Sometimes Gorant tells the story from a dog’s point of view, an incredibly powerful device.

Other times, the book focuses on the investigation and what authorities did to build a court case.

Mostly, the book shows the former Vick dogs to be just dogs, reacting to their situation the only way they knew how.

“The Lost Dogs” reads like a novel and I often lost myself in the story, missing characters when I wasn’t reading about them and wishing the story would never end.

Being new to pit bull advocacy, I had been putting off reading about Vick because I knew it would be upsetting. Gorant’s account does include some upsetting details, but the story is really about the dog’s triumph.

At times, I put the book down, overcome with disgust or heartbroken as I imagined my dogs chained to an axel in a clearing in the woods. Or too afraid to step out of an open kennel.

Most times, I couldn’t stop reading.

I found myself rereading passages either because Gorant’s words were so elegantly rendered or because the scene described was so heartwarming. I often laughed out loud or cried from sheer joy or pride for the dogs.

Although difficult to read at times, this is a book I plan to add to my personal library partly because I think any animal advocate would find it informative and inspiring, but mostly because Gorant’s words do the former Vick dogs justice.

Former Vick dog fighting mansion to become dog sanctuary

As I prepared to publish this review, I learned that Tamira Thayne, who founded Dogs Deserve Better nearly a decade ago, moved DDB’s headquarters into Michael Vick’s former dog fighting compound.

Vick called the Smithfield, Va. operation Bad Newz Kennels as a nod to his hometown of Newport News, Va. Now, Thayne is calling the 15-acre property Good Newz Rehabilitation Center. She is currently caring for nine dogs at the center with plans to eventually care for about 100 dogs there.

Thayne, who worked to help rehabilitate some of the Vick dogs, released this statement on her blog in March.

To contribute to Good Newz Rehabilitation Center, visit the group’s website.

Please help Love-A-Bull raise the funds to get T-Bird his second chance. You may donate via Chipin or donate directly by calling Oak Hill Veterinary Clinic at (512) 288-1016. Please specify that you would like your donation to go towards Love-A-Bull’s fund for T-Bird.

Please pass along and share the link to T-Bird’s ChipIn with your friends and other supports: http://loveabullsadoptabulls.chipin.com/t-birds-second-chance

Read more about T-Bird and his case by clicking on the links below:
http://hsus.typepad.com/wayne/2009/07/dogfighting-raid.html
http://www.humanesociety.org/news/news/2009/09/guilty_plea_dogfighting_091409.html.