Raw video of scene

Hundreds of rescued pit bulls, that were bread for fighting, are now in the custody of the Houston Humane Society.

KHOU - TV

Houston Humane Society asks for help caring for new residents

Tuesday nerves were a bit on edge there.

That’s because call after call after call came in about the shelter’s 320 newest residents.

But all of the pit bulls brought into the Houston Humane Society are evidence in a multi agency homicide investigation. 

They were confiscated after 27-year-old Thomas Weigner Junior was found shot to death in his Liberty County home.

Authorities said he was operating one of the biggest pit bull breeding operations in the state’s and perhaps even the nation’s history.

“They were treated like wild animals and so they became wild animals.  and that’s the way the breeder wanted it?  Yes, absolutely, that’s how you train a dog to become a fighting dog,” said Courtney Franks with the Houston Humane Society.

A glimpse of the kennel used to transport one of the dogs says it all.

“He bit his gums completely raw just trying to get out. Get at the humans who are transporting,” said Franks.

The pit bulls, valued at up to $1 million will be housed and cared for separately at the shelter.  They’ll have around the clock security. 

“Simply the fact there have been some disputes about who the animals belong to.  They’re worth a lot of money and I’m sure a lot of people would like to claim them.  So we need to make sure they stay where they are until the courts decide where they belong,” said Franks.

If you want to help with a contribution, they need:

•Heavy gauge chain link fencing

•Pre-made dog runs

•Towels

•Plastic bread trays (the kind used by bread companies for deliveries)

•Newspapers

•Food