Vick’s Dogs - Positive Press for Pit Bulls
The recent announcement of Animal Planet’s show about dog fighting and the journey of Michael Vick’s dogs is the most recent news that has given me hope that the story of these dogs will make a big difference in the public’s understanding of the breed. Before this case, ex-fighting dogs were considered dangerous and unfit to co-exist in our society, even by animal organizations and shelters. Bad Rap, Bay Area Doglovers Responsible About Pit Bulls, decided that this well publicized fight-bust was the one that would change the tide for these innocent victims. I’ve been following this journey along the way, and have been amazed to see the progress that the media, and many doubters, have made in understanding that these dogs are just dogs, and not the monsters that they want to make them out to be.
For those who haven’t been following these stories (or for those, like me, who could read and watch these stories over and over again!) I will make a collection of the articles and videos that follow the stories of these wonderful dogs and the amazing people who have supported them.
Teddles, Hector, and Frodo (AP Photo/Eric Risberg)
From the beginning, Bad Rap submitted a rescue proposal to the federal prosecutor when Vick was indicted. They wanted to act fast, as they knew the dogs would most likely be destroyed. Fortunately, the founders of Bad Rap and seven other evaluators were permitted to evaluate the dogs for their behavior and temperaments. What they found was that out of 49 dogs, only one had aggressive behavior and would be humanely euthenized. The rest had suitable temperaments to be adopted into homes, used as law enforcement dogs, or placed in a sanctuary.
ASPCA Press Release
BadRap Slideshow: The Evaluations
Those who were suitable for homes would have to spend time in a foster home, where they could recover from their trauma, and learn how to be family pets.
After the evaluation, 16 dogs went to rescue groups. Three went to east coast rescue groups, and 13 went to three different rescue organizations on the west coast. The rest went to Best Friends Animal Society, a sanctuary in Utah. They built custom kennels for their new arrivals, and now have a TV show that includes their well-loved pit bull additions they dubbed the “Vicktory dogs”. You can keep up with their progress on their website at: Best Friends
Information on the dogs was kept quiet (due to a gag order) until their foster homes and rescuers were finally allowed to release their stories to the public. Once they did, the news stories were flowing!
DogTime.com had the initial exclusive release of the dogs and took these wonderful videos to promote them. Other news articles quickly followed.
“The healthy progress these dogs have made is remarkable and heartwarming,” said Clare Ellis, Editor of DogTime.com who visited with the dogs. “It’s our pleasure to introduce you to four friendly canine creatures who look nothing like the fighters many people imagined.”
America Meets Michael Vick’s Dogs
What a wonderful surprise! People were truly interested in hearing about these dogs. How would they deal with life in a home? How were they with other dogs? Could they live a regular life, with a family and children? Instead of jumping to the conclusion that all pit bulls, especially those with a fighting past, must be vicious, people were asking questions and caring about the answers. Just the fact that the news media and those paying attention to them were open enough to take in the answers was a great change of pace. Of course there were still people who believed that all pit bulls were vicious, but truly these dogs were beginning to open minds.
Interview with Tim Racer, co-founder of BadRap
CNN Video
“‘This is a great opportunity to highlight the fact that the victims in the case are the animals themselves,” said Rebecca J. Huss, a Valparaiso University law professor, animal law expert and court-appointed guardian for Vick’s dogs.”
Given Reprieve, NFL Star’s Dogs Find Kindness
They even received an article (with wonderful photos!) in People magazine, gathering attention across the country.
Bad Rap Blog: Hey PEOPLE, Let’s Have a Pit Bull Party!
Hector the Noodle getting love from Raider Jarrod Cooper
As you can see, the dogs were living in foster homes, going to training classes, and getting lots of love from the press! This was a complete turn around from the previous news articles only dealing with negative stories of attacks, or talking about how inherently vicious these dogs were. If these dogs, who were not raised in good conditions, could recover to become wonderful, well behaved, and loving members of society, how could they possibly be those monsters that the media made them out to be?
Photo gallery:
Pit Bulls Rescued
“There’s a belief by a lot of people that these dogs cannot be rehabilitated,” said the facility’s veterinarian, Dr. Frank McMillan. “It’s true that they can’t all be [rehabilitated], but we’re finding out here and elsewhere, that they can and they become very nice pets.”
Vick’s Fighting Dogs Get Second Chance at Life
“His back resting comfortably against her chest, Hector nestles his massive canine head into Leslie Nuccio’s shoulder, high-fiving pit bull paws against human hands. The big dog — 52 pounds — is social, people-focused, happy now, it seems, wearing a rhinestone collar in his new home in sunny California.”
Former Fighting Dogs Get Second Chance
BadRap has great slideshows discussing the time while the dogs were learning how to be part of a family.
Home to Heal
See Them Now
Probably my favorite collection of photos and info is from the Washington Post with this beautiful display of the whole story of these dogs: (click photo)
Soon, the dogs began finding their forever homes. As their stories continued, these dogs kept changing minds and staying in the public eye to represent what pit bulls really are. They were in loving homes with other dogs, going on popular TV shows and showing their stuff, becoming therapy dogs for cancer patients, and continually smiling and enjoying their life as loved pets.
“Freeman doesn’t see Uba as a symbol, a vindicator or an ambassador. But it’s probably just as well. At the one-year milestone of his new life, Uba sits up wide awake now, his tail thumping each time either one of his parents speaks. They have just been granted full adoption rights and from the looks of it, Uba will have the happiest ending imaginable. He is just another dog who’s found his place in the sun.”
No Ordinary Dog’s Life
“The patients are drawn to Leo and his lovey-dovey eyes,” says McClay, who hopes one day to place Leo with a family. Hospital staff have already bonded with him. Says McClay: “They call him ‘Dr. Leo.’”
See Leo in action: Leo the Therapy Dog
DogTime.com’s video: “Michael Vick’s Dogs: From Fighters to Family Pets”
Watch Jonny Justice work his magic on The Rachael Ray Show
Jonny Justice showing off his doll face
One of the most recent placements was Hector’s move to Minnesota, where he joined Wallace the Champion Disc Dog (and fellow Pit Bull) as an ambassador for the breed.
Hector and his new Dad
“He plans to use the canine, which is between 3 and 6 years old, as a therapy dog for the elderly and at extended-care homes.
“(Hector) has a great temperament and would really be a great candidate for that,” Yori said.
In the meantime, Yori encourages people around town who see him walking with Hector to come up and meet his infamous-turned-famous pit bull. He regularly updates a Web site dedicated to another family pit bull, Wallace, but said meeting the dogs will be the best way for people to shed the negative connotations they might hold.
“I don’t want to talk about it,” Yori said. “I want to show you.””
Dog from Vick’s fighting ring comes to Rochester
“I really liked what I saw. He’s an awesome dog with a really solid temperament. There’s a lot of myths about the breed that need to be shattered; there’s a lot of stereotypes that need to be broken.”
Yori and his wife hope Hector’s example will show pit bulls can be good, friendly pets.
“I can sit here and talk all I want. But all they need to do is look at Hector.”
It seems Hector is not letting his past affect how he’s feeling today.
“He just is kind of happy being him.”
Former Vick Dog Finds Home
Now in their forever homes, several of the dogs recently achieved their Canine Good Citizen awards, further proving their ability to be stellar members of society.
“All of the pit bulls now boasting CGC titles were originally rescued from difficult beginnings: Two of the dogs (’Jonny Justice’ and ‘Uba’) were from Vick’s Bad News Kennels, three dogs (’Sallie’ ‘Leroy’ and ‘Bailey’) came to CA after losing their homes to Hurricane Katrina and the rest were once homeless shelter dogs. Now in loving homes, their owners are eager to break breed stereotypes by giving their pets an honor that sets them apart from most household canines.”
25 Rescued Pets Join Pit Bull Hall of Fame
With this new documentary on Animal Planet airing August 24th, I can only hope that all the greatness these people and organizations have achieved in promoting their dogs in the most realistic and positive way will continue to be shown. I know that often documentaries are looking for what is the most sensational, or exciting story, but the truth is that these dogs are just dogs. They did not have to be rehabilitated to become loving pets, they just needed someone to reveal the kind, beautiful dog waiting inside. I hope that this documentary will be just another step in the truth of these wonderful dogs being revealed to the public. I appreciate you taking the time to look through these links, seeing all the great work these organizations have done, and learning just how loving and amazing these ex-fighting dogs are.
Thank you to all the rescues and volunteers involved in giving these dogs a chance, and for letting them show the world how truly special the American Pit Bull Terrier can be. Thank you to BadRap for all their hard work, and for letting me use their beautiful photos!
Here’s to a brighter future for all dogs!
Other possible articles of interest:
Intro to BSL
Why doesn’t BSL make sense?
What is a better solution than BSL?
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