Animal Rescues: Hope for dog-fighting pit bulls

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Officers said a dog-fighting ring they discovered over the weekend is the second they have broken up in just two weeks.

Officers seized nearly 40 dogs between the two operations.

On Monday, Eyewitness News investigated what it takes for those dogs to be safe for a family to adopt.

Charlotte police said the pit bulls were used to hurt others. They were brought to animal control after police arrested two men in what they are calling the city's biggest dog-fighting ring, but soon, the dogs could be taught how to love.

"Pit bulls in particular, they are very misunderstood. They are our favorite breed around here," said Donna Canzano with the Charlotte Humane Society.

The Humane Society of Charlotte is one of several agencies that work with animal control to keep pit bulls from being euthanized.

CMPD said the seized pit bulls showed clear signs of breeding.

The pit bulls will be temporarily housed at animal control for evidence. Police said the dogs will undergo behavior testing to see if they are candidates for adoption, but because of the risk, they may not stay for long. Iredell Animal Control Director Chris Royal isn't involved in the two cases but said her shelter is inundated with pit bulls.

"Most of the time when we go to court we ask for them to be put down," said Royal.

Royal said as a matter of public safety, they, like Charlotte, only allow rescuers to adopt pit bulls, which leaves them with an abundance of the breed.

"Just about every other pen is a pit bill," said Royal.

With 42 more pit bulls, Charlotte has the same overcrowding issue, leaving euthanizing, if the dog isn't rescued, as one of the only solutions.

Residents that spoke with Eyewitness News on Monday said those who adopt pit bulls that were used to fight put other people at risk.

"I wouldn't want it in a neighborhood with kids running around playing because you just never know what could happen," said Charlotte resident Joe McNeely.

The Charlotte Humane Society could not comment on this specific case, but said most pit bulls can be trained to love, it just takes time.

"There is always hope. It all depends on the individual dog and what the dog has been through," Canzano.

Charlotte Animal Control said each confiscated dog will be assessed according to its public safety risk within the next couple of weeks.

How long they are held as evidence depends on the outcome of the case, which could take months.

WSOC