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Monroe County Pit Bulls Released To Rescue Group

MONROE (WWJ/AP)  - Three dogs involved in an alleged Monroe County dog-fighting ring have been released from an animal control facility -- and given to a rescue group.

A Monroe County Circuit Court judge earlier this month signed an order overturning a district court's ruling to euthanize the pit bull mixes. The judge ruled that the dogs - Dusty, Reilly and Monroe, don't pose a threat to public safety.

They've been given to the Buster Foundation -- with the hopes of finding permanent homes.

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. Most of the suspects have entered pleas and have been sentenced, with prison time ranging from 18 months to 15 years for watching and participating in the dog fights.

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

Buster Foundation President Jon Svoboda said the dogs were in "great spirits." The group believe the dogs can be rehabilitated and reintroduced to society as behaved family companions.

(TM and © Copyright 2011 CBS Radio Inc. and its relevant subsidiaries. CBS RADIO and EYE Logo TM and Copyright 2011 CBS Broadcasting Inc. Used under license. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)

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