Dogs stolen from Humane Society in Hernando may be used for fighting

BROOKSVILLE, Fla. - For the second time in as many months, the Humane Society of the Nature Coast was burglarized. Five dogs were stolen, and officials fear they may be used for fighting.

The shelter manager arrived to work on Thursday to find kennel doors open and the five dogs missing. The same manager found one pet was taken on July 17.

The dogs stolen Thursday include three pit bulls and two daschunds. The dog taken in July was a black & white female pit bull.

Officials fear the dogs will be used as bait for fighting dogs. "They take other dogs and use them as bait to aggravate the dog and to teach the dog to be aggressive to another dog," said Joanne Schoch of the Humane Society.

The organization is now stepping up security at the shelter, which will add another burden. "Because the economy is so bad, we're barely making ends meet. Security is going to cost us. The stolen dogs will cost us, too," said Schoch.

But right now, all anyone at the Humane Society can think about is finding the dogs before they are hurt or killed.

Hernando County Crime Stoppers, Inc. is offering up to $1,000.00 CASH reward for information leading to the arrest of persons responsible for the burglary.