Animal rights group shocked by denial to save 21 dogs

Animal rights groups will not be allowed to intervene in a hearing to euthanize 21 dogs seized from an alleged dog-fighting ring.

• Animal rights groups fight application to euthanize 21 dogs
• 31 'pitbull-type' dogs seized, 276 charges pending in alleged dog-fighting ring

The groups Animal Justice, and Dog Tales Rescue and Sanctuary applied for intervenor status in an upcoming court hearing that will address an Ontario SPCA application to euthanize the dogs that were takenduring a raid of a Chatham-Kent home last year.

Dog Tales says on its Facebook page that it's surprised and devastated its bid has been denied.

"We are surprised and devastated by this decision," the group stated in its online statement. "We are committed to doing whatever we can to help these dogs."

The OSPCA filed an application in a Chatham court in January to euthanize 31 dogs seized during the raids. Of those dogs, the OSPCAsays 21 of them are a menace to society and cannot be rehabilitated.