Rescued Sheffield Village pit bull suspected of being used in dog fighting put down

ELYRIA, Ohio - An injured pit bull that was suspected of being used in dog fights had to be put down.

On July 24, Multiple Breed Rescue took in two dogs that had were found wandering near the Carousel Swim Club in Sheffield Village. The pit bull and American bulldog were covered in bite wounds, according to the rescue group.

The veterinarian at Fox Veterinary Hospital in Elyria said the marks on the pit bull, who was named Diane, were consistent with those of a bait dog in a dog fighting ring. But an anonymous tipster said Diane was a fight dog and when she lost, she was abused and dumped.

“Her inner scars hurt too much and her fighting instinct was ingrained into her. MBR, with a heavy heart, had to let her go before someone was hurt or worse,” Lauren Jacenty with Multiple Breed Rescue said. “It was not an easy decision, and by no means did we choose this lightly.”

Just two days after her rescue, Diane appeared to be doing fine and was placed with a foster home. However, MBR said rehabbing a fight dog is much different than rehabbing a bait dog.

The American bulldog named Hammy is doing very well. The rescue group said he was abandoned before being exposed to fighting. When Hammy was found, he was thin, but mostly unharmed.

Multiple Breed Rescue said people need to report suspicious or suspected dog fighting to local authorities. The Humane Society of the United States offers up to $5,000 in reward money for information leading to the conviction of anyone involved in dog fighting. MBR said anyone with info should call the tip line at 877-TIP-HSUS.