Shirley Temple was so excited to meet her rescuers

Shirley Temple was the very first dog taken off an alleged dogfighting property in Gaston County, North Carolina. While many of the others were fearful when rescuers got to the scene, Shirley was waiting to greet them with kisses and ready to be pulled off her chain. Just days into her new life, she is well on her way to healing both her physical and psychological scars and, hopefully, one step closer to finding her forever family. --- On August 2nd 2023, the Humane Society of the United States assisted the Gaston County Police Department and their Animal Care and Enforcement Unit in rescuing 14 dogs from an alleged dogfighting and cruelty situation in Gaston County, North Carolina. A representative from the Gaston County District Attorney’s Office was also on-scene. The dogs were found living in makeshift, hazardous enclosures throughout the property, some with visible scarring consistent with injuries typically seen in dogfighting operations. Veterinarians noted dental issues, skin conditions, missing hair and puncture wounds on some of the dogs. Dogfighting paraphernalia was found throughout the property. “It’s always haunting … seeing what the dogs have had to endure and thinking about how they’ve suffered,” said Jessica Johnson, senior director of the Humane Society of the United States’ animal rescue team. “We are grateful to the Gaston County Police Department for intervening on behalf of these dogs. No animal deserves to suffer the way these dogs have, but this is the last day they will have to live like this.” Help us Fight for ALL ANIMALS!