Front-page photo of disfigured pit bull fit story’s theme
Fay, a 5-year-old pit bull rescued during a July 8 multistate federal dogfighting raid, is one of the more than 500 fighting dogs rescued in several states. Because Fay lost her lips and part of her nose from fighting, her teeth are now permanently exposed. Her fate is uncertain. Photo by Dawn Majors.
We anticipated some reader reaction to the photograph on Page One of Tuesday’s St. Louis Post-Dispatch. It shows Fay, a 5-year-old pit bull who was disfigured as a result of dogfighting. The picture is jarring — showing Fay’s missing lip, disfigured nose and permanently exposed teeth.
Larry Coyne, our director of photography, recommended it for the lead photograph — to accompany a story about the fate of the hundreds of dogs rescued in raids in Missouri, Illinois and other states.
The story also reported that four members of the dogfighting operation admitted their guilt Monday in federal court in St. Louis.
The photo of Fay certainly conveyed key elements of the story, demonstrating what the dogs endured and their uncertain futures. We weighed whether it would be too jarring. In the end, just two callers told me that it was upsetting and a poor decision. One called the dog ugly.
Steve Parker is the deputy managing editor for news, and oversees the Post-Dispatch's front page. STLtoday's online news editors are on his newsroom team. Parker has been at the paper since September 1980. 
The dog’s `ugly?’ No, she’s beautiful for having the will to survive her ordeal.
I find it interesting that no one has commented on this, considering how irate people get when there’s a story about dogs and/or cats being abused. I get the message: give us the story, just don’t show us the photos of the `ugly’ animals; we don’t want their `real-world’ appearances to impede on our self-righteousness. How nice.
i commend u for photo choice/placement. ugly r the animals that condone such. they need to lock them up and throw away the key. barbaric! tho bittersweet, fay’s strength of spirit and will to survive succh horrific conditions is remarkable. all animals r innoccent and gods creatures. civilized society is to protect those that can’t protect themselves. bravo for the huge raid. i hope they continue with punishment severe for those involved and all those aware who did nothing! if a human being is capable of this, god knows what’s being inflicted on his children and those around him. society is at fault for allowing it to continue.