Animal activist groups petitioning for stricter laws against dog fighting in Pueblo

A petition is circulating across southern Colorado asking the city of Pueblo to crack down on animal abusers.

This comes after two men were arrested for dog fighting 10 days ago.

Nineteen dogs obvious fighting wounds were removed from a property on Beech Street in Pueblo.

READ MORE: Dogs had old and new wounds after dogfighting ring busted in Pueblo

The petitions are being circulated by several animal activist groups who plan to hold a peaceful demonstration outside the Pueblo County Courthouse on Thursday, which is the same day the accused dog-fighters will make a court appearance.

Their hope is to send a message to Pueblo lawmakers.

“Basically, we’d like to see the penalty be strick so that other offenders will see that this is not tolerated and enough is enough with the abuse,” said Diane Freed with the Pikes Peak Animal Rights Team.

The dogs that were removed from the property are being housed and cared for at the Pueblo Animal Shelter, which isn’t releasing their conditions at this time.