Animals in dogfights face uncertain future

BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) - According to the Humane Society of the United States, street dogfighting is on the rise in urban areas. Sometimes it's about status and bragging rights, and other times it's about money.

Buffalo is not immune, and Animal Control officers are well aware of the tell-tale signs. But there's another troubling question: What happens to these animals after they're removed from harsh surroundings?

These days Zelda lives a pampered life. You'd never know that she's been to hell and back.

Jennifer Ward said, "I feel very, very lucky to have a dog like this."

Ward adopted Zelda from the city of Buffalo Animal Shelter last year. The connection was instant.

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"I saw her soul on that very first day we went to the shelter to meet her and in that moment I knew she was coming home," said Ward.

Sadly, not every bully breed ends up in a loving home. Just ask city of Buffalo Animal Control officer Bill Vivian.

"It can get a little feisty out there sometimes," said Vivian.

We traveled with Vivian and his partner, Chuck Loubert.

Vivian said, "A lot of times there's tell tale signs of where the dogs are."

It doesn't take long for them to sniff out trouble.

"Chuck, I definitely got dogs here. Check these houses," said Vivian.

They find three pit bulls, two in a garage and one in a yard behind brush.

Vivian said, "Look at their faces, Chuck. How are you? They're all scarred up."

The two in the garage are hooked to heavy chains, around their necks. The other dog is hooked to a heavy chain and a weight around its neck.

"This is specifically built for training a dog, for strength and endurance," said Vivian.

Vivian doesn't like what he sees.

Vivian said, "Look at his face. Does he have any abscess on his cheeks? No. No."

Vivian decides to remove the dogs, and take them back to the shelter.

"The dogs are supposed to have available air to breathe and sunlight, and food and water. They don't have any of the above," explained Vivian.

At the Buffalo Animal Shelter, there's a story behind every steel cage. Some of the dogs are abused, some are neglected, and some are used for fighting. Every single dog taken off of the streets is assessed. If they pass, they'll go up for adoption.

Animal Shelter director Kelly McCartney said, "Unfortunately, if they're not passing a temperament assessment, then they're going to have to be humanely euthanized."

There are the lucky ones, like Zelda, a stocky pit bull mix adopted after many months in the shelter. Zelda was among a group of dogs confiscated in a cruelty case. Most of the dogs were too aggressive to be adopted, and had to be euthanized. Ward says Zelda has changed her life.

"On a bad day or a stressful day at work, I'm guaranteed to come home and as soon as I walk through the door and see her tail wagging. Everything's good again," said Ward.

A happy ending in the case of Zelda, but sadly, that's not the case for the three dogs we saw removed from a garage and backyard. City Animal Control officials say the dogs failed several assessment tests, and are too aggressive for adoption. They'll have to be euthanized.