Hillsborough animal rescue caring for puppy believed to be used as bait in dog fight operation

Editor’s note: The descriptions of the dog’s condition in this article and in the associated video may be disturbing to some readers.

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HILLSBOROUGH, N.C. (WNCN) — A puppy is fighting for her life after being found with horrific injuries in Holly Springs. Animal rescuers believe she may have spent months being used as bait in a dog-fighting operation.

A family found Phoenix, estimated to be one and a half years old, buried in trash at a homeless encampment earlier this month.

“She was eating cardboard boxes when she was found. I do think that she was dumped in the location that she was found. There was nobody nearby,” said Mary Lucas, owner of Longleaf Animal Rescue in Hillsborough.

Mary Lucas with Longleaf Animal Rescue believes Phoenix’s injuries to her face make it clear she was being used as a bait dog. She clarified that it is not a certainty, but all the signs are there.

“She has multiple teeth that have been severed off, so they’re not sharp, which is something that a lot of bait dogs have happen to them so that they don’t cause injury to other animals.”

On top of having severe anemia, Phoenix has bone infections and other signs of abuse and neglect.

Phoenix is already scheduled for surgery on Thursday to amputate a severely infected toe, and that may be only the beginning

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“We’re waiting to see what scar tissue forms on her face and what we’re going to have to do there. So, that’s a longer road thing since things are still healing and she’s been on antibiotics for all of it. She’s likely going to need additional work on her face just to help her breathe.”

Although some small dogs are illegally bred for dog fighting, Lucas said one of the biggest contributors is people who list dogs online for free.

“If you put a dog out there for free, this could be the consequence. People will look for free dogs that they can do this with.”

Lucas said North Carolina ranks third in the country for shelter pets that are euthanized and animal cruelty plays a major role in that.

“There are criminals out there that started with animals first, and it progressed from there,” said Lucas.

Longleaf Animal Rescue is working with Wake County Animal Services to figure out who owned Phoenix before she was dumped, and due to the extent of her injuries, Phoenix will not be available for adoption for at least two months.

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