Dogfighting is a gruesome and hateful thing to force beautiful animals into. It’s hard to imagine the pain and abuse that the dogs go through and the conditions they find themselves in. Sadly, it still happens all over the world with humans who hide out in secret.
Thankfully, there are people like the ASPCA who do their best to track down these illegal rings and bust them while saving the dogs in the process.
Our story today is particularly heartbreaking because it involves an eight-week-old puppy, but luckily the sweet little guy goes on to have a happy ending.
In one of the largest dogfighting raids ever seen, the ASPCA was able to rescue over 350 dogs in the Southeast states of Georgia, Alabama, and Mississippi. When they had the dogs in custody, it was obvious how they were mistreated. Each dog was chained to a post and didn’t have food, water, or exercise. None of them had any human interaction or development. It was truly heartbreaking.
Eight-week-old Timmy was the youngest pup that was rescued from the ring. He was found with a chain around his neck and an exhausted look on his face.
He’d already been through so much, but his little face was the picture of innocence. In fact, when he saw rescuers approaching, he did something that surprised everyone.
He smiled.
Timmy seemed to be a great judge of character. He knew that the rescuers that were there just wanted to help him out. Soon after the rescue, Timmy and some of the other dogs were on their way to the Humane Society of Calvert County in Marylane. They were going to get some much-needed treatment.
Meanwhile, around ten people were arrested and charged for dogfighting – but nothing is ever going to bring back all those who sadly died, or justify the pain that these helpless dogs went through.
Despite the circumstances, Timmy was a very friendly dog and was already giving his rescuers lots of love and kisses. Speaking to The Huffington Post about how Timmy settled in at the shelter, Kirstyn Northrop Cobb, HSCC’s adoptions counselor said:
“We noted some resource guarding, he didn’t want to share his food, but otherwise he was a nice little dog,”
At first, Kirstyn fostered Timmy for herself. After he didn’t get along with her pet pig, she decided to let her mutual friend watch him, knowing she would do a great job.
The friend, a man named DeCicco, had recently lost two of his dogs the previous year. He and his wife were ready to open their hearts to another dog and Timmy looked like he was going to be a perfect fit. Soon, it was clear he was in his furever home!
Timmy is one of the best dogs around. He loves to cuddle and play ball ALL day long! DeCicco said:
“We didn’t have any concerns about bring a dog who had been associated with fighting into our home because we’ve both had dogs our whole lives and know that they can reflect the way they are treated. Both of our previous dogs were pit mixes and they are just so unbelievably affectionate.”
“These dogs show amazing resiliency and forgiveness even after being treated so poorly. They just want to be loved,” DeCicco said. “Don’t get me wrong, I love my wife and my family very much, but no one is ever as happy to see you or greets you with more enthusiasm than your dog!”
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