A local rescue group started the New Year’s weekend off bysearching for two stolen dogs.

With search efforts unsuccessful so far, an anonymous donor hasoffered a large reward for the return of the animals.

Brookhaven Animal Rescue League volunteer Beth Adcock said twopit bull dogs were discovered missing from the BARL’s pens at theHartley Gove Sons thermometer plant between Thursday and Fridayafternoon. Since then, she and others spent the New Year’s weekendsearching for them.

“I’m afraid whoever got them is going to fight them,” saidAdcock.

Pit bulls are a popular breed of dog used in illegal dog fights.Adcock said she filed reports with both the Brookhaven PoliceDepartment and the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Department.

“One deputy had an idea where to look,” said Adcock, referringto where dog fighting has been reported.

Adcock said she and a deputy went Friday and Saturday night insearch of the the dogs, but didn’t find anything.

The two missing pit bulls are both females, said Adcock. Lady isa tan pit bull with a little white, while Marble is brindle incolor.

Adcock said both dogs are adults, spayed and look as if theyhave had puppies. They have both been implanted withmicrochips.

“Both are heartworm positive,” Adcock said. “And Lady had beenanemic.”

BARL had been trying to build the dogs’ health up beforestarting heartworm treatments, she said.

Both dogs were received from the group Mutt Shack in New Orleansafter Hurricane Katrina.

“In the three and a half years since I’ve been doing this, nodogs have been stolen,” Adcock said.

An anonymous donor is personally offering a $1,000 reward forthe safe return of the animals. If anyone has informationconcerning the two dogs they can call the Country Fisherman at(601) 833-2060 or e-mail BARL at info@barl.net, Adcock said.

Currently, the shelter doesn’t have any surveillance equipmentthat is operational, but Adcock said she would be looking into ittoday.