Fort Lauderdale Police, with help from the Broward County Animal Care and Adoption Division, have rescued 11 female American Staffordshire Terrier/Lab-mix dogs that had been used for baiting and breeding in an alleged Lauderdale dog-fighting ring.
The dogs, which were found living in deplorable conditions, were severely malnourished and had obvious signs of abuse, including loss of fur and scars from old fight injuries.
Police removed the dogs from a home after receiving a tip from a concerned resident, and now workers from Broward Animal Care are hoping someone will step up and adopt the dogs into a loving home.
The dogs were found in a Lauderdale Manors home. Some were placed in cages, while others were tethered to trees in the backyard with massive chains.
According to Lisa Mendheim, public education coordinator with Broward County Animal Care and Adoption, the dogs were used as bait to train male dogs to fight. They were also apparently used for breeding.
Broward County Animal Care has determined that the rescued dogs are good candidates for adoption.
To assist in the care and rehabilitation of the dogs, Animal Care is working with the Miami Coalition Against Breed Specific Legislation, as well as representatives from No Kill Nation to sponsor the ongoing medical care and behavioral training they may need.
"So far, the dogs have responded very well and seem relieved to be out of harm's way," Mendheim says. "Now the challenge is to find them new and loving homes where they can put this chapter of their lives behind them."
Those interested in adopting these dogs can get information from Broward County Animal Care and Adoption's Facebook page. You can also follow them on Twitter.
For now, Fort Lauderdale Police are still investigating the suspected Broward dog-fighting ring and are looking for the male dogs associated with it. They are asking anyone with information on this dog-fighting ring, or any other fighting ring, to contact them at 954-828-5700.
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