It was a victory for humane societies and animal activists everywhere when a dogfighting investigation saved 350 or more dogs, primarily pit bull terriers, from their abusive owners.

"It's always a victory to even help one animal. To get 350 out of that situation is really commendable," said Laurie Salanski, executive director of the Humane Society of St. Joseph and Buchanan County.

According to a federal indictment, the defendants denied the dogs adequate and humane treatment of wounds and injuries suffered from dogfights. They routinely destroyed injured dogs by shooting the dogs in the head, and threw their carcasses into the river or burned them in a barrel.

The defendants face plenty of legal troubles, but what about the dogs?

The Humane Society of Missouri will shelter all of the pit bulls seized in Missouri and Illinois in a secure facility, separate from the rest of the shelter population. The society plans to document evidence of dogfighting, oversee care for the animals and conduct veterinary examinations. The dogs will be cared for by the society and its partners until the final disposition by the U.S. District Court.

"The Humane Society of Missouri is vehemently opposed to this heinous sport. The way animals used in dogfighting are abused, at the hands of people for profit is absolutely abhorrent," said Kathy Warnick, president of the society.

Gary Silverglat, co-founder of M'Shoogy's Famous Emergency Animal Rescue in Savannah, agrees.

"Usually they're impromptu fights in garages and alleys where people will bring four or five dogs and gamble. They don't do it for fun, they do it for money," he said.

Mr. Silverglat, who has seen his share of abused dogs, explained that it's the fault of the owners who teach the dogs, not the nature of the dogs themselves.

"We do see dogs that come in, mainly pit bulls, that were really tore up and have scars all over them," he said. "When they have all those scars all over them, something's wrong."

Mr. Silverglat explained that it's not an easy process to rehabilitate these dogs. They have to be eased out of their fighting mode, learn to trust humans and realize that they're safe.

One of the most memorable recent cases involved Michael Vick and the dogfighting ring he financed more than two years ago. Of the 51 dogs seized, 47 were saved and treated by organizations such as BAD RAP (Bay Area Doglovers Responsible About Pitbulls). Many have been rehabilitated and adopted.

Of all of Mr. Vick's dogs, only one was destroyed because it was too violent. Mr. Silverglat said this occurs sometimes because some dogs are so "brainwashed" by their owners that they are beyond rehabilitation.

Missouri ranks among the country's worst dogfighting states, Ms. Salanski said, because of farms and other areas where the fights can easily be organized and hidden. Mr. Silverglat said it is difficult to get into dogfighting rings to catch the owners, and even more difficult to get witnesses to testify.

Ms. Salanski agrees.

"Unless an undercover agent infiltrates one, or a participant has a change of heart and realized how inhumane it is, they're hard to find," she said.

Mr. Silverglat and Ms. Salanski stress the importance of reporting suspicious activity. Neighbors should be aware of dogs, especially pit bulls, that are on short chains in isolated areas. To report concerns, call M'Shoogy's at (816) 324-5824.

As for the dogs, each one will be evaluated to determine its suitability for placement with rescue groups or individual adopters. Recommendations will be made to the U.S. District Court, which will make the final decision for each animal.

"We are committed to giving dogs who have come from such horrible abuse the absolute best chance for a good life," said Debbie Hill, vice president of operations for the Humane Society of Missouri and director of the temporary shelter. "It is a tragedy that because of mistreatment by humans for financial gain and so-called sport, many dogs used in animal fighting may not ever be able to be placed in a home situation."