Local animal activists are still trying to keep their hopes alive for the 21 pit bulls seized in a Tilbury dog-fighting investigation.
Three supporters showed up outside the Chatham-Kent Provincial Offences Courthouse Tuesday, as the OSPCA's appeal to euthanize the dogs was slated to be addressed.
"There's still a lot of online support, we're emailing our councillors and our mayor, but it starts to dwindle," says Cheryl Faubert, one of the advocates who showed up. "I don't think it's because people lose interest, but I think it's because people start to lose hope."
The case has been in and out of the court system for over a year. Three groups are currently fighting for "intervener" status, with plans to transport the dogs for rehabilitation.
But, in the meantime, the animals continue to sit in cages.
"Dogs are social animals," adds Faubert. "So when they're kept in a cage for a long period of time, they become depressed. It affects their brain, and it can turn them into meaner dogs because they just don't have that interaction."
Lawyers are expected to set a date for a hearing soon, so animal rights groups can plead their case to transport the dogs elsewhere.
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