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BOISE, Idaho — Some of the pit bulls seized from a suspected dog fighting ring outside of Malad could be ready to be adopted to the public within the next two weeks.
The Idaho Humane Society announced Thursday that the nonprofit group Bad Rap, which gained national attention in 2007 when it assisted in evaluating the pit bulls seized from NFL star Michael Vick, had completed its evaluations of 63 pit bulls that were found in Onieda County and moved to the Idaho Humane Society in Boise.
"Based on both on the behavioral evaluations and continued medical monitoring, the IHS anticipates having the first group of approximately one dozen Oneida pit bulls ready to meet adoptive families in the next two weeks. These dogs are happy and friendly, but having experienced very little of life, will require especially dedicated owners," the humane society said in a prepared statement.
On April 5, authorities found the bodies of Yavette Chivon Carter, 27, Trent Jon Christensen, 32, and Brent L. Christensen, 61, all shot to death inside their Idaho home, located in an isolated area about 20 miles west of Malad. Carter and Trent Christensen's 2-year-old and 2-month-old daughters were found unharmed — the younger girl found in the clenched arms of her dead mother.
No arrests had been made as of Thursday, and there was no known motive for the crime.
Also on the property, officers found nearly 70 pit bulls, most of them in poor condition, in what appeared to be a dog fighting operation. The majority of the dogs were underweight and suffering from malnutrition. Many had open lacerations and extensive scarring from old wounds. Humane society officials believe some of the dogs, when they were found, had been involved in fighting within the past week.
Our staff and volunteers have worked tirelessly to give these dogs the compassionate and loving care they have never before known in their lives.
–Idaho Humane Society
Based on the evaluations, the humane society said 10 to 12 dogs have been classified as not "temperamentally suitable" for adoption.
"The shelter staff doesn’t take lightly the euthanasia of any animals and the choice to euthanize any of the dogs will be made individually, done in a humane manner, knowing that our staff and volunteers have worked tirelessly to give these dogs the compassionate and loving care they have never before known in their lives," the IHS wrote.
The remaining dogs that have not yet been been declared adoptable or unadoptable will continue receiving medical treatment. Humane society officials said they may seek help from other rescue groups across the country.
Anyone interested in adopting one of the pit bulls can fill out an application starting Saturday.
