Animal Control Searching for Owners of 'Bait Dog'

Anne Arundel County Animal Control officials are looking for the owners of a severely injured pit bull that officers believe was used as a "bait dog" to train other dogs to fight.

According to a police press release, animal control responded on Feb. 2 to the 600 block of Andover Road in Linthicum after a resident reported seeing an injured pit bull. Officers took the dog, who is now named "Rocky Road," back to the shelter and noticed he was in severe pain and had difficulty moving around.

After considering the possibility of euthanizing the dog to end his suffering, animal control officials contacted Waugh Chapel Animal Hospital in Gambrills. Doctors there offered to treat the dog for free, according to the release.

Investigation by Animal Control and staff at the animal hospital confirmed that Rocky Road had been used as a "bait dog" to train other dogs to fight, according to the release. Police and animal control are investigating how Rocky Road was injured and who is responsible.

The dog underwent surgery on Feb. 3 and is in stable condition, according to the release. Rocky Road is expected to stay in veterinary care for a few weeks until he is ready to be transferred to the Columbia-based nonprofit rescue group Tara's House where he hopefully can one day be adopted, according to the release.

Additionally, animal control is asking area veterinary hospitals that are able to donate services or offer them at a reduced cost for instances like the one with Rocky Road where the shelter was unable to provide the necessary care.

Anyone interested in helping is asked to contact animal control at 410-222-8900.