Dogfighting is one of the cruelest acts in the history of mankind. We couldn’t imagine what kind of person would want to go and watch these frightened animals in so much pain, let alone the people who actually set up these fights. We’d love to say that dogfighting doesn’t happen anymore, but despite being illegal, many twisted human beings still find ways of secretly getting around this.
That’s why that we’re so grateful for services like the ASPCA who work constantly to try and track down these illegal dog fighting rings and ensure that justice comes for all those who are involved.
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 what turned out to be one of their largest dogfighting ring raids to date, the ASPCA managed to rescue over 350 dogs from properties throughout Georgia, Alabama, and Mississippi. The neglect and trauma that these dogs had been through was obvious, and sadly, rescuers found many dogs who hadn’t survived. Each dog was chained to a post with no food or water, no means of exercise and no positive human interaction.
At eight weeks old, Timmy was the youngest pup to be rescued. He had a heavy chain around his neck and looked frightened and exhausted.
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.
It’s like Timmy knew that these people were here to save him. The rescuers wasted no time in getting the dogs out of each property, and little Timmy and his friends were on their way to the Humane Society of Calvert County in Maryland for some special care.
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,”
Kirstyn first fostered Timmy for herself, but after he didn’t get along with her pet pig, she passed him onto a mutual friend who she was confident would take good care of him.
Her friend was a man called DeCicco, who along with his wife had lost his two dogs the previous year. Their hearts were open to love another dog, and they gladly took little Timmy in. Finally, he was in his furever home.
Timmy loves cuddles with his new owners and playing with his ball. He has the sweetest temperament, and 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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