When dogfighting rings are broken up, the dogs are only half "rescued" since they wind up being housed in shelters for months and sometimes years to make sure they're not violent. Many are euthanized without ever being housed.
Existing rules isolate the dogs way longer than necessary, when what they really need is to be retrained and placed in a loving home. Many of these dogs aren't natural fighters, they were forced into the lifestyle by cruel owners.
In 2019, both the United States House and Senate introduced versions of the HEART (Help Extract Animals from Red Tape) Act. The bill would accelerate the process of mainstreaming the animals, as well as hold the previous dogfighting owners financially responsible for their interim care. Unfortunately the 2019-2020 congressional year came and went and the bill lingered in both chambers. Now, in order for it to become a reality, it must be reintroduced again.
This is legislation that is urgently needed to keep abused and neglected dogs from being senselessly put down and instead help them find new homes. But without action it will continue to be ignored.
Let's do right by these animals. Encourage all of Congress to make sure this bill becomes law. Sign the petition and demand that the HEART Act is reintroduced and passed today.
