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Monroe County Judge Overturns Decision To Euthanize Pit Bulls

MONROE (WWJ/AP) - A Monroe County judge has overturned a decision to euthanize three dogs involved in an alleged dog-fighting ring.

Circuit Judge Joseph Costello said in his ruling Thursday the dogs don't pose a threat to public safety -- overturning First District Judge Jack Vitale's decision to euthanize the pit bulls.

The Monroe Evening News reports the dogs - Dusty, Reilly and Monroe - will remain in the custody of the county at Animal Control until the court decides on a permanent home for them.

A pit bull rescue group called the Buster Foundation wants custody of the dogs so they can adopt them out. The group believes the dogs can be rehabilitated and reintroduced to society as behaved family companions.

The dogs were seized during a March raid on a suspected dog-fighting operation. Twenty-seven people were arrested and face charges from the raid.

The district court had determined the dogs were too dangerous to the community and should be euthanized.

A court date on the custody of the dogs hasn't been set.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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