Fortunately for the more than 400 tortured dogs that were rescued in last summer's federal raid on a multi-state dog fighting ring, the U.S. District Court was permitted to make a timely decision about the fate of these dogs (adoption, foster care, rehabilitation, etc.). In contrast, as a result of the Missouri General Assembly’s failure to pass dog fighting reforms, Missouri state law still requires the victim dogs to be held until all criminal proceedings are resolved. 

If charges are brought now in Missouri state court, the seized animals must often remain in isolation for many months and even years.

Bills filed by Sen. Jane Cunningham of Chesterfied and Sen. Scott Rupp of St. Charles would have remedied this and allowed state judges to hold a disposition hearing within 30 days of seizure to determine what happens to the dogs that are seized (i.e., adoption, foster care, rehabilitation or euthanasia.)

Those humane bills died.  Please speak for the victims of dog fighting and let the Missouri legislators know that this important bill needs to be a priority next session.

Thanks for taking action for animals!  Politics is not a spectator sport.

Photo of Karma at the HSMO Fight Bust Bunker taken by Lynn Terry