BASSET HOUND FIGHTING RING BUSTED

     IN AN EMERGING STORY OF ALMOST UNSPEAKABLE CRUELTY,
it has been learned that major dog fighting ring has been busted, only the usual
players, Pitt Bulls, are nowhere to be seen.  According to the Chelensville,
Georgia Sheriff's Department spokesman Brian Berry "As we all know criminals
get smarter, adapt, change tactics. Having a kennel full of  Pitts attracts attention
so they've switched to Basset Hounds."
     How, one asks, does the usually easy going Basset Hound get converted into
a killer?  Berry:  "A steady diet of methamphetamine and whippings turns Bassets
into animals we found to be far scarier than Pitts.  I saw one claw and bite its way
through a solid oak door.  They feel no pain, have no fear and don't stop fighting
until they die."
     Sadly, the confiscated Bassets have all had to be put down.  To explain why
a veterinarian associated with the case who did not wish for his name to be
disclosed took us back to the actual fights:  "Basset physiology being what it is,
besides the usual bite and cut wounds to the head what we see are a lot of
abdominal punctures.  Of course the owners sew them up over and over which
causes Bassets working the fight to be in a  lot of pain, something the owners
don't mind because they think it makes the dogs better fighters."
     This reporter was provided with a chilling video of an actual contest which
was, in a word, horrific.  The owners, wearing heavy leather gloves to protect
themselves from their thrashing animals, throw the dogs in the ring where
they initially savage their opponents about the head, but inevitably come
what Basset fighters call "the flip" where the frenzied dogs end up biting
at each others' undersides.  "They literally eat each other alive" as Berry puts
it.  "Spectators wear jackets to protect their clothing from the jets of spurting
blood.  It's beyond belief."
     Many are asking what they can do to help, and Berry is asking that any Facebook,
Twitter users use these platforms or any social media to get build public awareness.
Brian Berry sums it up well:  "People abusing Basset Hounds are counting on apathy.
Stopping this only requires  a minimal effort.  Please share this story and show
you care."