225 Dogs Rescued In Dramatic Multi-State Dogfighting Raids

The scope of the cruelty was stunning. In an effort to break up a multi-state dogfighting operation, authorities announced raids on 18 locations in Baltimore and a compound in West Virginia, recovering 225 dogs. American Humane Association's renowned Red Star Animal Emergency Services team was asked to stand by to help the animal victims and began providing care for the dogs at an undisclosed shelter in the Baltimore area, helping with the handling and comforting of 69 animals who for so long have known nothing but brutal torture, abuse and neglect.

"Animal fighting is a barbaric and cowardly form of cruelty," said Justin L. Scally, national director of Humane Intervention & Emergency Services for American Humane Association. "One that not only leads to immense animal suffering but one that frequently also involves other crimes and violence."

A grand jury returned indictments against 22 people involved in the operation. All of them are being charged with animal cruelty, dog fighting and conspiracy.

The deployment was made possible by Red Star presenting sponsor MARS Petcare US, makers of PEDIGREE Food for Dogs. In addition, PetSmart Charities sent food, crates, and other supplies for up to 100 animals to help the victims in the Baltimore case.

"A situation like this, involving deliberate cruelty to animals and, often, death, is especially heartbreaking," said Dr. Robin Ganzert, president and CEO of American Humane Association. "Unless someone intervenes, these animals would have no hope. Thanks to our supporters, philanthropist Lois Pope, MARS Petcare US, makers of PEDIGREE Food for Dogs, PetSmart Charities, and other major donors, we are able to come to the aid of our nation's most vulnerable animals in their times of greatest need."

American Humane Association's Red Star program was created in 1916 at the request of the U.S. Secretary of War to rescue wounded war horses on the battlefields of World War I in Europe. Since then, Red Star has been rescuing animals of every kind and has been involved in virtually every major disaster relief effort from Pearl Harbor to 9/11, Hurricane Katrina, the Joplin, Missouri and Moore, Oklahoma tornadoes, the Japanese and Haitian earthquakes, and Superstorm Sandy. Over just the past ten years Red Star teams have saved, helped and sheltered more than 80,000 animals.

To help Red Star's efforts to save suffering animals, please visit www.americanhumane.org now!