Indianapolis bikers ride to support pitbull rescue
INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) – Lucci’s House Bully Rescue is hoping many bikers register for their first benefit ride on Sunday. Money raised will go towards caring for rescued pitbulls.
Registration begins at the Southside Harley Davidson in Southport at 10 a.m. The ride starts at noon. Motorists will end in New Whiteland for live music, food and auction items.
Lucci’s House Bully Rescue became a nonprofit back in January. Founder Laurie Collins told News 8 it’s one of the few rescues for pitbulls in Indiana.
Collins shared how one pitbull in a foster home named Chelsea was rescued in July. She said Chelsea was left to die after being dumped by a pickup truck, then a car hit her and drove off. Collins said she received help from an Indianapolis Animal Control Officer.
Collins mentioned Chelsea successfully made it out of surgery but has a veterinarian bill of $12,000.
“She had about a 10-day stay at Noah’s Animal Hospital. She had to have one leg amputated because it was too malformed and had infections setting in,” said Collins. “Then her other leg has some plates and rods and screws in it so she can walk. She’s not only had to walk not only without one leg but two legs.”
Chelsea is among 17 dogs in foster homes so far.
“I love bully breeds and I noticed they’re the most in need in the shelters and dogs like her (Chelsea), that have a lot of medical costs, sometimes other rescues won’t pull them or they won’t get adopted because of the medical expense and I promised that none of them won’t get help because of financial or medical expenses,” said Collins. “I just won’t let that happen.”
The founder said there’s a bad stigma that pitbulls are vicious or dangerous and it’s absolutely not true.
“Homeowners have a hard time getting insurance if they have a bully breed dog. A lot of houses and apartments won’t rent to people if they have a bully breed dog. The list is crazy,” Collins added.
She wants people to understand a simple message. “Kind of don’t judge a book by its cover. Just because a dog is a pitbull or a boxer or a roddy or any kind of bully breed doesn’t mean they’re bad dogs, it doesn’t mean they can’t show love or be a great pet or companion they’re just another dog and it’s all in how you raise them.”