On Nov. 22, law enforcement in Newton County, Texas, arrested 45 people at an alleged dog fighting ring and separated two injured dogs that were actively fighting.

The raid, carried out by the Newton County Sheriff’s Office, ended with the two animals — now known as Valor and Justice — spared from the scene and scheduled for rehabilitation in Austin. Santo’s Sanctuary & Rescue, which is assisting with the animals, said the dogs will train and recover at Taurus Academy.

The Newton County Sheriff’s Office described the operation as “one of the most disturbing crimes [it has] ever witnessed,” the agency said in a statement accompanying the arrests.

Officials executed the enforcement action on Nov. 22 and took 45 people into custody at the property where the dogs were found. The two animals were described by rescue personnel as having been used against one another; Santo’s Sanctuary & Rescue co‑founder Adrian Sendejas said bluntly, “Those two dogs that we have were actually pitted against one another.” What are the long-term effects of dog fighting on the animals involved?

Sendejas, speaking for the rescue effort, framed the next steps for the animals in personal terms. “I think a big part of it for us was giving these dogs a second chance,” he said, noting the planned move to Taurus Academy in Austin for sustained rehabilitation and training. Local support is critical in ensuring that animals like Valor and Justice receive the care they need, as communities can work together to prevent dog fighting through education and organized efforts.

Santo’s Sanctuary & Rescue and the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals are among the organizations named as assisting with the case and the animals’ care. Rescue staff said the dogs will learn new routines and receive personalized time as part of their recovery at Taurus Academy. Individuals looking to adopt dogs coming from abusive situations are encouraged to reach out to local shelters and rescue groups.

The two animals have been given the names Valor and Justice by the groups handling their care. Rescue teams emphasized rehabilitation and behavioral work as priorities once the animals arrive in Austin. Animal welfare advocates note that dogs removed from fighting environments can struggle with behavioral issues and may require a comprehensive rehabilitation approach.

Local reporting on the raid captured the scale of the law enforcement response and the immediate transfer of the dogs into rescue custody; Click2Houston provided on‑the‑ground coverage of the arrests and the operation surrounding the sweep.

Veterinarians and trainers involved in the aftermath will assess the animals’ physical and behavioral needs and begin tailored programs aimed at helping them adjust to life outside the alleged fighting environment. Rescuers said this process includes reintroducing routines and giving the animals focused time with handlers to rebuild trust. The support of public awareness campaigns can further foster an environment where such abuse is detected and reported more effectively.

Those involved in the rescue described the moment of transfer as a rescue and a turning point. “We want to make sure that everybody understands that this is something that is going on,” Sendejas said, urging attention to the animal welfare work that follows enforcement actions.

Advocates and animal welfare professionals routinely document that dogs removed from fighting situations may require long‑term medical and behavioral care; research on recovery and rehabilitation can provide context for the scale of work ahead for Valor and Justice, as noted in recent veterinary literature. The two dogs will be cared for by the rescue organizations named and placed at Taurus Academy in Austin for a structured rehabilitation program aimed at restoring health and teaching new behaviors.

Source

Original reporting: view the original article.