Idaho Humane caring for 64 pit bulls seized from dogfighting compound

Idaho Humane caring for 64 pit bulls seized from dogfighting compound

by KTVB.com and KING 5 Staff

Posted on April 9, 2013 at 8:06 PM

Updated Tuesday, Apr 9 at 8:19 PM

BOISE — A spokesperson for the Idaho Humane Society says one of the 64 pit bulls brought to Boise for care Monday night had to be euthanized.

The pit bulls were found at the scene of a triple murder in southeastern Idaho. They were loaded into trailers and truck beds Monday and taken to Boise.

Idaho Humane said the dogs are in very poor condition. The majority of the dogs are underweight and suffering from malnutrition. Many of the dogs had open lacerations and extensive scarring from old wounds. Many are suffering from skin, eye, and ear ailments resulting from neglect of their basic care. A few dogs have old injuries of broken bones that were left untreated.

Hannah Parpart, Idaho Humane Society, said one of the dogs was having seizures and was euthanized Tueday morning.

Despite their obvious neglect and poor treatment, the Idaho Humane Society found the majority of the dogs to be friendly and accepting of handling by people.

Investigators believe the dogs were part of a dog fighting operation at a rural ranch outside Holbrook in Oneida County.  Police discovered the bodies of two men and one woman at the property last Friday.  The search continues for the suspect.  Cash and several dozen marijuana plants were also found at the home.

Law enforcement requested the dogs be moved to the Idaho Humane Society in Boise because it is the largest Humane Society in the state.  Once the pit bulls arrive, veterinarians will begin administering any necessary medical treatment.

“Sixty-four dogs, kind of triaging them all at once and trying to assess all their medical needs at once, is going to be a challenge,” said Parpart.  “And then finding space to house that many dogs at once as well.”

Parpart says the Idaho Humane Society had to relocate most of its adoptable dogs to its PetSmart adoption center to make room for the 64 pit bulls.

“Our staff is well prepared for dealing with a large number of animals and processing them through and giving them the medical attention they need, it just takes some shuffling of resources,” said Parpart.

Through this Friday, the Idaho Humane Society is reducing its adoption prices for dogs and cats by 50 percent to try and free up some space at the shelter.

Once the pit bulls are healthy, they will be evaluated for behavioral issues.

“We’re being realistic with these dogs knowing their backgrounds, but we’re definitely going to look at each dog individually to see, assessing them for adoptability,” said Parpart.

If the dogs are determined to be adoptable, Parpart says it will likely be sometime before that can happen.

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11 pit bulls taken from Idaho dogfighting operation euthanized

Credit: Zach Stotland/ KTVB

by KTVB.COM

Posted on April 27, 2013 at 1:09 PM

Updated yesterday at 1:20 PM

BOISE — Three of the 63 pit bulls rescued from a murder scene at a dog fighting operation in southern Idaho have been transferred to a rescue organization in California, according to the Idaho Humane Society.

The move marks the first step in moving the dogs into the care of people who can rehabilitate them, according to humane society staff.

 

Credit: Idaho Humane Society

Picture here are two of first three pitbulls to be transferred to a Los Angeles Pit Bull rescue organization in the wake of tragic

Spokesperson Hannah Parpart says pit bulls Helena, Hershey, and Granny are headed to Angel City Pit Bulls, a nonprofit rescue organization dedicated to creating a better future for the breed in Los Angeles.

Photo of enclosure  where dogs  were  found

Pilot Peter Roark with the nonprofit Dog is My Copilot organization was able to fly the pit bulls to Los Angeles on Friday.

Unfortunately, the future wasn’t so bright for several other dogs.

Parpart said 11 of the pit bulls had to be euthanized due to dangerous behavior.

“We knew right from the get-go that there was a group we’d have to euthanize,” Parpart said, describing their behavior as “hyper focused” on fighting other dogs, and saying staff felt they wouldn’t be safe in homes.

The good news: Parpart says the humane society is trying to clear about 11 to 12 dogs for local adoption, but most won’t be ready to go until next weekend.

“We’re still talking to people and doing the match-making business,” Parpart said.

Those who want to contact the humane society about the adoption should call: (208) 342-3508

In the meantime, the Idaho Humane Society is still trying to find rescue organizations throughout the United States to accept the remaining 40 dogs, which are expected to need further behavioral help and socialization.

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