Ban Puppy Mills

GUILTY!!
Five defendants plead guilty; face time in federal prison
Scarred, helpless dogs will never fight again

FAY is a torture victim, the torture of the blood sport of dog fighting. When rescued, her face, neck, shoulders and legs were covered with scars. Horrifically, she had no lips; presumed to be ripped off in a fight. Though she looks menacing, all she really wants is someone to pet and hug her. And that’s the tragedy of dog fighting -- dogs horribly wounded and scarred physically…and mentally. FAY is very friendly with people, but sadly, she’s very aggressive toward dogs - the heartbreaking result of the twisted breeding and training to which she’s been subjected.

Help end this tragedy

Yesterday, four of the men arrested in July for the heinous crime of dog fighting admitted their guilt and now await sentencing in Federal Court. A fifth man plead guilty in federal court on September 4. Due to the passionate persistence of Tim Rickey, director of the Humane Society of Missouri’s Animal Cruelty Task Force, and his intrepid rescue staff, on July 8 more than 500 dogs were saved from lives of continuous torture and deprivation. For more than 18 months, he and HSMO Animal Cruelty Investigator Kyle Held pursued leads, investigated local dog fighting cases, called in state and federal authorities when it was necessary, and then coordinated the most extensive one-day dog fighting rescue in U.S. history.

HSMO veterinarians, shelter care staff and volunteers were at our emergency shelter ready to give them the loving and expert care they so deserved. FAY and the 500 other dogs involved in this case are still in our care awaiting a decision from the court. Every day staff and volunteers feed, clean and provide enrichment for them. It’s backbreaking work that only the most dedicated people can do day after day.

The Humane Society of Missouri is one of the few organizations in our country that has the ability to respond, rescue, care for and shelter animals in peril. Our Animal Cruelty Task Force handles it all… and the Animal Cruelty Fund provides the funding to help them keep doing this critical work.

Thank you in advance for your support and for sharing our passion for animals and the determination to give them better lives.
We need to end the travesty of dog fighting. Please help us end the suffering.

With kindest regards,

Kathryn W. Warnick
President
Humane Society of Missouri

View the slideshow
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A few of the hundreds of dogs rescued July 8, 2009 from the
horrors of dog fighting.