Ad
Ad

Vick dog adoption stories

6 comments | Leave your own comment

It was one of the biggest dog stories of 2007: Pit Bulls taken from Michael Vick's dog fighting operation escaped euthanasia--how seized fighting dogs routinely end their sad lives. Instead, the dogs were given a chance.

Breed experts visited the dogs and sounded out their sociability and fear levels. Dogs who fared well were sent to experienced rescue groups and foster families across the country for training, healing, and eventually, adoption.

It was a bold move, and a controversial one. Many people, including some animal rights groups, argued that fighting dogs are too damaged to ever be safe in a home.

So when DogTime learned that a few of those dogs were just across the bay from us under the care of BAD RAP, a local pit bull education and rescue group, we had to go see for ourselves. Last winter we watched, and videotaped, as four Vick rescue dogs strutted their stuff in a BAD RAP manners and obedience class. Like many, we were delighted and well, a bit surprised by the dogs. Although we're fans of the beleaguered Pit Bull Terrier, it was amazing to see that dogs raised in such cruel conditions were well behaved, eager to learn, and affectionate.

Three of those four dogs are now adopted into loving homes, a small miracle in a miserable time for the breed. Their adopters hope that by telling the dogs' stories, more fight bust dogs--and Pit Bulls in general--will get the chance to be judged by their own temperament and behavior, not by their breed or the hands they were unlucky enough to fall into.

The Vick dogs go home

Uba: A shy boy comes out of his shell

Jonny Justice: A star settles down

Hector: A cuddle fiend finds a new vocation


6 comments | Leave your own comment

Ad


Comments

Snoeppeek_002x_thumbnail “It just goes to show that APBTs are as tough and resilient mentally as they are physically. How many other breeds could endure such horrid abuse and emerge as happy, normal family dogs?
For the record, Michael Vick should be dipped in bacon grease, rolled in opossum fur and thrown to some hungry mastiffs.” — Snoep's Human, Apr 22 2009

Avatar “I am SO happy that these dogs were given a 2nd chance, and for those who don't know, like the 1st poster, they only had to euthanize one dog out of them all...do to behavior. That's amazing. I am so tired of this being considered a race issue, it's a DOG issue. Anyone who did the same thing, would be punished the same. GOD BLESS EVERYONE who stepped forward and helped these dogs, as well as the federal government, who gave them the initial chance. And bless these dogs too, I know and hope that they will make their breed proud. ” — lisasanti, Dec 10 2008

Avatar “I'm glad pople are taking in Vicks dogs. As much as I love dogs (have 6) 4 of those are Pit mix's and 1 large Pit pedigree. I wouldn't want a pit thats been trained to fight at this time. If it was the only dog/animal I had I may. I also have 5 cats and a parrot. All rescue.
zookeeper56k” — zookeeper56k, Oct 31 2008

See all 6 comments

Add a comment
newest topics:

News

See ALL topics in this forum

Subscribe to News 20 topics, 87 posts
Button_topic_start topics replies views last post
>>> Tammy Grimes: heroine or criminal?

Did Tammy Grimes cross the line when she took a suffering dog out of a stranger's backyard? Or did she do the right thing, no matter what the law says? Share your thoughts with other readers here.

 18 3019 Jun 17, 2009 7:50pm by M-slice
view
GUESS WHAT!!!!!!!

i love my doglett.... hes my best friend

 0 57 May 27, 2009 4:37pm by Odysseus
view
Chow mix? Help!

Hi, can someone please tell me what mix is that, I believe it's a Chow mix, but i'm not sure... Thanks! :D http://img201.imageshack.us/img201/9140/dscf0594.jpg

 4 458 May 23, 2009 9:49pm by marknikholas
view
Is safe/not living with a dog while I am pregnant?

Is it safe to live with a dog while I am pregnant? As far as I know that prenatal development is very important. Everything can be a tera... (continued)

 6 1927 Apr 29, 2009 6:58pm by cleoparker
view