Injured kittens likely used as 'bait animals' in dog fighting ring

VALLEJO (KTVU) -- A bag of sopping wet, injured kittens were dropped off at the Humane Society of the North Bay as animal care workers sought to arrange care for the wounded felines.

The Solano County Sheriff's Department is investigating two cases of kittens that have been abused. The most recent incident happened Thursday afternoon around closing time. An unidentified man left a bag on the steps of the animal shelter.

Inside the bag were three kittens that, according to shelter workers, had wounds on their paws that suggested their paws had been bound by a rubber band.  Three of the felines suffered injuries to their hind legs, officials said.

The kitten named Sabrina was in the worst condition.

"Every single one of these toes in the pads has little ulcers on them and on this portion there were ulcers on the hocks," said Dr. Miller, who treated the kittens at Bayside Veterinary Hospital.

"When she tried to walk, she'd shake her back leg," said Stephanie Gomes, board president for the Humane Society of the North Bay.

Miller says it was one of the more severe cases of abuse she has seen. And Humane Society officials said they believe the kittens were used as live bait for a dog-fighting ring.

"This is the first time in my experience that we have seen evidence of kittens being used as bait," said Lisa Szucs, spokeswoman for the Humane Society of the North Bay. "We most often receive bait dogs at our shelter; typically they are pit bulls who come in with bite marks and flesh wounds."

Szucs says kittens with similar injuries were taken to a Benicia Pet Food Express last week. She said in that incident it was clear their paws had also been tied with a rubber band. One of the cats had to be euthanized due to its injuries and another cat has been placed in foster care, officials said.

The kitten named Sabrina has undergone a blood transfusion. Miller says they cats were anemic, malnourished and flea ridden, which can be deadly for kittens.

Officials said the cats were inside a green canvas bag along with a hair tie that authorities say may have been used to bind their legs. After being cleaned up, treated with antibiotics and fed, the other kittens -- named Pumpkin and Salem -- are on the road to recovery. 

"This is a typical thing dog fighters will do," Gomes said. "They take small animals and train dogs to fight with them."

Two Solano County Sheriff's deputies arrived at the hospital to take photos for their investigation. Gomes is asking for the public's help in putting a stop to the abuse.

"Somewhere in the area, there's dog fighting going on," Gomes said. "I want these people in jail."

Anyone with information was asked to contact the Solano County Sheriff's Department. Tipsters can remain anonymous.

A spokeswoman for the sheriff's department says animal abuse can be a felony depending on the severity of the case.

Humane Society of the North Bay will be absorbing the costs. Donations can be made here.
 

KTVU reporter Amber Lee contributed to this report.