Show these dogs some love!
Fifty dogs rescued from a Bronx dog fighting ring in June are now available for adoption.
The pit bulls and pit bull mixes, ranging from puppies to adults, were rescued on June 21 from the basement of an apartment building on Sherman Avenue.
According to the ASPCA and the Bronx District Attorney’s office, the dogs were held in nightmarish conditions and forced to fight each other.
Twenty-six of the dogs have been placed with animal welfare groups in Manhattan and Brooklyn, and in New Jersey, New Hampshire, and Hudson, N.Y..
Placement for seven dogs is still being arranged, said ASPCA spokesman Bret Hopman.
The ASPCA and NYPD found the 50 dogs caged in a corner of the six-story apartment building during the raid.
The basement included a makeshift fighting arena, seats for spectators, doggie treadmills, harnesses, muzzles and syringes.
Police also found a loaded .25 caliber handgun.
After being removed from the basement, the dogs required two months of care, including medical attention, proper diet and extensive socialization at a temporary shelter.
Although many of the dogs were able to be treated and placed with rescue groups, 17 had to be euthanized because they were determined to be too dangerous to be handled by people.
Hopman said the dogs had been studied by several animal experts before the decision was made to put them down.
Raul Sanchez, superintendent of the Sherman Avenue building, was arrested during the raid.
He was arraigned on July 24, and charged with 63 counts of animal fighting, six counts of aggravated animal cruelty, six counts of animal cruelty and one count of criminal possession of weapon.
If convicted, Sanchez faces up to 4 years in jail, said a spokesman for Bronx D.A. Rob Johnson. Sanchez’ next court date is set for September 25.
To find out about adopting one of the dogs, call the ASPCA at (212) 876-7700, then extension 4900 for adoptions.
Kirsten Sanchez can be reach via e-mail at ksanchez@cnglocal.com or by phone at (718) 742-3394
