Pit Bull Puppy Found, Rescued From Under GW Bridge In The Heights

WASHINGTON HEIGHTS, NY — Xena the pit bull is on her way to a loving and safe home after being saved through a team effort by Washington Heights residents and the Blue Lives Bully Rescue organization.

The exact chain of events is a little unclear, but a retelling of Xena's rescue through Upper Manhattan Facebook groups show that the nine-month-old pit bull was spotted underneath the New York City side of the George Washington Bridge by the Washington Height's Women's Walking Crew.

From there, the puppy was transferred into the care and aide of New York City resident Denise Lauffer, before she was quickly connected with the nonprofit Blue Lives Bully Rescue — an organization that put Xena into a loving foster home while it searches for a permanent family for the pit bull.

Blue Lives Bully Rescue, which saves abandoned dogs and looks to push back against negative stigmas surrounding larger canine breeds, told Patch that Xena was dumped under the George Washington Bridge by an owner who had just purchased the pit bull from a "backyard breeder."

A backyard breeder refers to an amateur animal breeder who often uses irresponsible methods, and doesn't typically take the time to make sure prospective owners are right for the animal.

In Xena's case, the backyard breeder actually contacted Blue Lives Bully Rescue, telling the organization that the pit bull was "the last puppy I sold, I guess the guy couldn't take care of her, so he dumped her."

The man then blocked all contact with the animal rescue organization.

In this case, everyone can take solace in the fact Xena got found and rescued safely, and that the nine-month pit bull will soon be in a loving permanent home.