Pit Bull Saved From Dogfighting Loves Giving Kisses Now

Let's find Franny the home she so deserves.

It's just too sad to try to imagine what Franny's life would have been like if she hadn't been rescued from a dogfighting ring in December 2016 - it surely would have been loveless and short.

Pit bull saved from dog fighting ring
Franny was pulled from a massive dogfighting ring where roughly 150 other dogs were being kept. | ASPCA

But her life took a turn when authorities raided the dogfighting operation in the Southeast where Franny had been held captive - along with 150 other dogs. She was brought to the ASPCA Behavioral Rehabilitation Center in Madison, New Jersey, in January.

In the past, dogs found in fighting operations were often euthanized, but people are starting to realize these dogs can be rehabilitated. "Ten years ago, it was common for dogs seized in dog fighting cases to be immediately euthanized due to the perception that they're inherently aggressive and dangerous," Matt Bershadker, president and CEO of the ASPCA, told The Dodo. "Now the behavior of each dog seized in a dog fighting raid is often evaluated individually to determine appropriate placement options."

Dog fighting ring
A massive dogfighting operation that was busted in 2013 | ASPCA
Dog on chain at dog fighting operation
ASPCA

According to the ASPCA, the Michael Vick case triggered a change where animal behavior experts were able recommend that dogs who were saved from fighting be given a chance at rehabilitation. "The Michael Vick case demonstrated that vicious animal cruelty is happening more often and in more places than most people realize," Bershadker said. "But the case was also instrumental in bringing about substantial advancements in our tools and our ability to curb dogfighting and hopefully bring it to an end."

It's been a decade since 51 pit bulls were pulled from the hidden barn behind the NFL quarterback's home. And an increased awareness and understanding of the dogs used for fighting has literally saved lives.

Dog being rescued from dog fighting ring
A rescuer carrying a dog away from a dogfighting ring | ASPCA

Franny, for example, who might have been euthanized years ago, instead met people at the rehabilitation center who believed that she could recover. And she wasn't alone - other victims of cruelty and neglect, saved from other dogfighting rings as well as hoarding cases and puppy mills, were also at the rehabilitation center, learning how to trust people again so they could find loving homes.

Pit bull saved from dog fighting ring
Franny was rehabilitated at the ASPCA's behavior center and is now in a foster home | ASPCA

Franny completed the program in a few weeks and was placed with Rescuzilla, a rescue group in Hoboken, New Jersey. "Although Franny can be a little shy at first, she loves learning new things and cuddling with her favorite, familiar people," Schneider said. Franny also loves kissing her foster mom while she waits for her forever home.

Loyal pit bull saved from dog fighting in foster home
Franny is a little obsessed with the people who saved her. | ASPCA
Pit bull saved from fighting kisses foster mom
ASPCA

"Franny would do best in a calm household with an adopter who will continue to help her along as she learns how to enjoy the good life," Emily Schneider, director of media and communications at the ASPCA, told The Dodo.

Dog rescued from dog fighting in foster home
Franny is waiting for her forever family. | ASPCA

And Franny's ideal forever home isn't what you might expect, given her past in a dogfighting ring. Franny actually loves other dogs.

"Franny ... would prefer to live with a canine housemate if possible, or at least have some friends to socialize with regularly," Schneider said.

Dog rescued from dog fighting still likes other dogs
Even after everything she's been through, Franny still loves being around other dogs. | ASPCA

If you think you can give Franny the forever home she so deserves, you can fill out an application.

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The ASPCA has saved 3,600 dogs from dogfighting rings since 2010 - and you can help.