JDHF founders Katherine Heigl and Nancy Heigl personally rescued a two-month-old pit bull from the California City Shelter last week. The puppy had been used as a bait dog in dog fights in California's Antelope Valley and as a result, had puncture wounds and abscesses on his neck when he was found.

He was taken to the vet, where his wounds were drained and stitched, but doctors found that the dog also had a broken neck vertebra. The bone cannot be operated on because it splintered, so the pup will stay in a neck brace for the next six to eight weeks.

Katherine Heigl & The Rescued Pit Bull Pup Katherine Heigl With The Rescued Pit Bull Pup

While he recovers, the handsome young pit will stay with the Heigl family, after which they will either adopt or try to find him a new home through their Heigl Hounds of Hope program.

Dog fighting, cock-fighting, and other forms of animal fighting are not a sport, they are a felony. So is animal cruelty. A conviction for felony animal cruelty can result in a sentence of up to 3 years in prison.

If you know someone who is involved in dog fighting please call the LA County 24-hour Dog Fighting Tipline (877-NO2FITE or 877-662-3483). Up to $5,000.00 is offered for information that leads to an arrest or conviction of people engaging in the training or fighting of dogs. The identity of callers will remain confidential.