Former WWE star Titus O’Neil helped rescue a pair of abandoned pit bulls while volunteering at a Florida middle school
Two abandoned pit bulls are getting a new life thanks to former WWE star Titus O’Neil.
The athlete, whose real name is Thaddeus Bullard, was volunteering at Sligh Middle School, where he “donated book bags and school supplies,” when he found the two dogs.
O’Neil quickly contacted the Humane Society of Tampa Bay, who agreed to pick up the puppies and bring them to the shelter earlier this week.
“It was an incredibly hot day so they were thirsty, hungry and confused, as is the case with most abandoned animals. Since they have been at HSTB they have been given the water and food they need,” HSTB said in a statement to People.
The spokesperson also noted that the couple had been given the adorable nicknames Biggie and Bertha.
A pair of abandoned pit bulls are getting a new life thanks to former WWE star Titus O’Neil
The athlete was volunteering at a nearby high school when he discovered the puppies
Sherry Silk, director of the Florida shelter, told Fox 13 News the dogs may have been involved in a fight because their ears had been cropped.
Because dog fighting is a crime in all 50 states, ear cropping is often done in backyards, without the dogs being given pain medication.
“They give them whiskey or other alcohol to numb the pain, but it’s really horrible, bloody and cruel to animals,” Silk explains, before suggesting that the dogs were dumped because Bertha recently gave birth to puppies.
“I think she had her puppies, and the puppies were sold, and that’s probably why they were dumped. We see it all the time, and it’s horrible,” she said.
HSTB said in a statement to the media that the pair will soon be available for adoption.
“Bertha has a microchip, but when our team went to call the owners, it turned out to be a dead end; the microchip had never been registered. We will continue to try to find the owners, but if that doesn’t work, they will both be spayed and neutered tomorrow,” they explained.
The shelter also stressed that abandoning animals is illegal in Florida, with violators facing up to $5,000 in fines or even jail time.
“In Hillsborough County, we are seeing an increase in abandonment cases. While every case is different, we attribute this to a poor economy and shelters in our area being at capacity,” they added.
Bertha had apparently given birth to puppies shortly before she was dumped
The pair, who may have been involved in an illegal fighting ring, will soon be put up for adoption