The 65 dogs rescued from the suspected Ashland City fighting ring are recovering in a warehouse in Lebanon, but many still face breed discrimination, rescuers say.

"They're broken dogs," said Scotlund Haisley, president of Animal Rescue Corps, the group that took the dogs in.  "Their spirits have been broken.  They've lived their lives in hell."

They were found Thursday by Ashland City firefighters that responded to a brush fire near a home on Buckeye Road.

Haisley suspects this was the biggest dog fighting rescue in Tennessee history, which might discourage some families from adopting the dogs.

"These dogs were bred, conditioned and trained to fight," Haisley said.  "They're not dogs that you can put with other dogs so this is going to make it very difficult to adopt them."

Some of them are so big and strong the Nashville Zoo and Home Depot donated supplies to build them sturdier pens, but volunteers say they're already seeing their temperament improve.

"On the whole, each dog is so loving and kind," said Amy Haverstick, director of New Leash on Life, a group assisting A.R.C.  "They just want affection.  They just want to climb up in your lap and be loved and petted."

But even those that never set foot in a fighting pen could still have trouble finding a good home.

Many communities don't rent to pit owners and some public spaces like Metro's Shelby Dog Park in East Nashville ban the breed.

The park has a clearly posted sign that says not even dogs that share "physical characteristics of the pit breed" are allowed.

"I think there will be some of those obstacles in placing them locally," said Jana  Mandes, founder of Nashville pittie an organization to works to fight negative stereotypes against the breed.  Mandes hopes Midstate families are able to look past their misconceptions and the way these dogs were raised.

"I also feel hope that these dogs will go on to know a better life and be able to live as normal pets," Mandes said.

Dog fighting is a felony in Tennessee and a federal offense.  Federal agents were searching the property where these dogs were found Saturday but it's still unclear if charges have been filed against the homeowner or anyone else at this time.Rescued Dogs Face Breed Stigma, Rescuers Say - Eric Alvarez