WTHR |Humane Society sounds alarm over dog fighting in Indianapolis

Humane Society sounds alarm over dog fighting in Indianapolis

Richard Essex/Eyewitness News

Indianapolis - Eyewitness News has uncovered an instance of dog fighting, something that animal welfare advocates say is growing in Indianapolis.

A five-year-old pit bull without a name has known nothing but violence most of his life.

"They discard them when they are done," says Christine Jeshke of the Indianapolis Humane Society.  "This dog was put to sleep late Friday night. He was picked up by a couple coming home from work and they thought he had been hit by a car. Both of the legs needed to come off and he has approximately 50 puncture wounds, some as big as - you can stick your finger in them, they are so large."

Bite wounds from fighting cover his body. He shows signs of broken bones that were never cared for.

"There are wounds that are healing. There are wounds that have long since healed and there are fresh wounds that were gushing blood last night," said Nina Gaither Indianapolis Humane Society.

The dog was picked up at the intersection of 71st and Guion Road.  He had two broken legs and multiple puncture wounds. The people at the shelter say when the couple that stopped to pick him up opened the doors, the dog jumped right in.

"He has scars from the tip of his ears to the tip of his tail, proof of what he has gone through his entire life," said Gaither.

Dog fighting is a growing problem in Central Indiana, according to the Indianapolis Humane Society. They say dogs like these are used and discarded just for sport.

"They are bringing guns to the fights.  And drugs and violence go with dog fighting.  The sick demented people that would do this to this dog, they don't care about your human safety or your house or your neighborhood," said Gaither.

Employees at The Indianapolis Humane Society believe the dog's owner lives close by where he was found at 71st and Guion Road.  They are asking that anyone with any information in this case to please call Crimestoppers at 262-TIPS.