Thursday, January 8, 2009
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Unfortunately, most dogs that are found in fighting rings are put down because they are presumed to be dangerous. When Tim Racer and Donna Reynolds of BAD RAP heard the story of the NFL star's dogs they were eager to save as many of them as they could. They flew out to Virginia in September along with Justin Phillips of Monterey SPCA to join a team of six other volunteers set to evaluate the temperament of the 48 dogs, in hopes of saving them from an unfortunate ending to the rough lives they had already lived. After two months of hard work, the dogs were finally granted their paper work which allowed them permission to be transferred out of the Virginia shelters. Out of the 48 rescued, Twenty-two dogs were quite happy with people and "dog social" enough to be put in foster homes in the state of Virginia. The other sixteen were allowed to leave the shelters early in October in order to begin their healing in a quieter setting.

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Comments (33)
Apr 7, 2008 maddie the dog

It is such an amazing story- look at those faces. They have found their happy place.

Apr 7, 2008 caramel

At last they can be happy.

Apr 7, 2008 denawolves

I'm so glad these dogs were saved- I have always loved pitbulls. I see a lot of people get these type dogs so they can prove their manliness or feed their ego but they have no clue.

Apr 8, 2008 rickysmom

I'm so happy these dogs are being given a second chase, they definitely deserve it. I hope they all find loving homes.

Apr 8, 2008 doggieluvrpv

God Bless you for caring enough and then doing so much for these dogs. I hope and pray they will live out their lives free from pain and fear.

Apr 11, 2008 Lupelareau

It is a shame that those who fight these dogs could not be savagely attacked by a larger animal and told to lick their wounds and get back in and go again! sorry but karma is the only thing that makes me less angry - think about what will come to them x3 for treating these animals in such cruel ways! Thank you for caring so much and giving of your time. You are appreciated.

Apr 11, 2008 gailhamm9452

Thank you for keeping us all informed about these dogs. Whether or not you like pit bulls, it's important that they be given a chance to overcome what humans have done to them. In this case, we were all so drawn into the story and I think a lot of us needed to know that these poor babies would get some love and you've given them that. Again - THANK YOU.

Apr 14, 2008 furball

I totally agree Lupelareau. These "humans" will get thiers. I'm just happy the dogs have a better life now.

Apr 16, 2008 tchamblee

Great Story. Keep spreading the word. HATE THE DEED NOT THE BREED.

Apr 17, 2008 bonbon1122

My belief is every animal should be given a lot of love........ Maybe if everyone felt this way we could stop all this animal abuse

Apr 19, 2008 home

THANK GOD THIS POOR PUPS WERE SAVED FROM THIS CRUEL '''' THANK GOD THEY GOT ANOTHER CHANCE I HOPE THEY ARE VERY HAPPY AND BEING LOVED!!!!!!!!!!!

Apr 27, 2008 indigo

My mother is 62 years old and has 4 pitbulls. But she is now unable to take care of them financially.I need help in helping her find a good adoption agency that will adoption them and not hurt them, or have them killed. When speaking of giving them away she get so very emotionally. Please help. ~ Tina

Apr 27, 2008 sasafras56

This was indeed a landmark case where these beautiful and sad animals were given a second chance. I have a pit bull mix and work for a humane society that gets many pure and mixed pits. They are all God's creatures and are wonderful companions. Bless all who gave freely to help these special dogs get their second chance for love and companionship.

Apr 27, 2008 Southpaw

Those dogs are beautiful, and what they were put through was tragic, but it's fortunate that they were able to be rescued and given homes.

May 5, 2008 castalia

it is a shame in this day and age that a celebrity could even begin a fighting ring. I am glad that those dogs were taken and given a second chance. It breaks my heart to think of the pain they have endured. God Bless all who were part of the rescue and salvation of these beautiful dogs.

May 13, 2008 sherrill

Thankfully,Michael Vick was caught and will get the treatment he deserves. I just hope there are some big,bad, dog lovers in prison...if you know what I mean. This is a terrible practice, and anyone who participates should be punished severely.

May 26, 2008 mustluvdogs

Personally, Michael Vick got off lightly. He should have gotten a year in prison for every dog that they confiscated and every dog that he killed, and not even eligible for parole. Publicly tattooed his sorry a$$ with the scarlet letter "A" for abuser on his forehead for all the world to see along with, I'm sure, the others that he probably has. His bank account depleted from him and turned over to the federal government to be distributed to all huname shelters across this nation. He then should have been made to wear an ankle braclet tracking him just like we have today if you're an offender. What a great and happy ending that would have been, but at least it turned out to be one for these great animals! Thank you for the great work you guys are doing in rescueing these animals.

Jun 6, 2008 Allie

I think that not all Pit bulls are fighting dogs. Some can be the sweetist dogs you would ever think of. What do you all think?????

Jun 7, 2008 daisyroxyturbo

Michael Vick definetly got off too easy.I don't get how anyone could be so cruel. All dogs just want to have human companionship and love.

Jun 30, 2008 UrsaDad

What's unbelievable to me is someone talented and so wealthy, who could spend his time and his riches seeing all the sights in beautiful world that most of us will never get a chance to, or to do good works with children in hospital or even a selfish but non-harmful hobby, would instead spend his time and money and resources on something so devoid of redeeming qualities as this. Why? I truly don't understand any attraction in this. Millions of young boys dream of chances to succeed in this world; I can't imagine that a part of that dream is to do something as horrendously cruel and frankly trashy as this. It is truly mind-boggling that someone would seek out and create such ugliness in their life.

Jul 12, 2008 marlow&mariah

can you believe that PETA thinks these dogs should be put down and are not worth the resources needed for rehabilitation. I think PETA needs rehabilitating.

Aug 3, 2008 cocoa puff

Thank you for rescuing those precious dogs! I am a pit bull owner and I could never even bear the thought of putting her in harms way! As an owner you are suppose to protect them as they would you. Treat them like your own kids! My pit is my baby! One of the best dogs I ever owned!

Aug 5, 2008 Patti D

I got my first Pit when my twins were 8 mo old. I had heard all the "stories". I soon learned that they are truly the most kind, gently & loving breed that walks the earth!! I have owned several breeds and found the Pit to be the most loving & tollarent with children. I have owned Pit Bulls for 25 years now and cannot understand why people still use them as an "alter ego" just because they can. THANK YOU so much for your work with these beautiful creatures!!!

Aug 19, 2008 Lady Pooh

I can't believe people treat animals like that. There's no reason why an animal so precioius and happy should have to deal with people in Mick Vick case. I would like to thank people who always helping puppies, dogs, or just any creature on God's earth. It' amazing how people destroy the world with violence and how people just help creatures just because they feel like it.

Aug 26, 2008 Hooligan

Thank God that there are people in this world that want to help these dogs. Any dogs for that matter. It's very sad that the gov't took this long to recognize that these animals are actual individuals such as humans. I hope that someone will shoot Michael Vick in the head as soon as he is out of jail. Who are these monsters that think dog fighting and cock fighting is ok to do!! Anyone involved in any kind of animal abuse deserves to not live.

Sep 7, 2008 fdonald

For additional infomation about the rehabilitation of Michael Vicks rescued dogs, check out Bestfriends.org a very large no-kill animal shelter in Kanab UT. They have been posting pictures and blogs since receiving some of the ex-fighters. It is very encouraging. They are an amazing organization and are doing great work.

Sep 7, 2008 fdonald

Best Friends Animal Shelter in Kanab UT also is working to rehab some of Michael Vicks pitbulls. They have been posting pictures and blogs for a long-time now, and anyone interested in more information can check it out at bestfriends.org They do great things there and it is a heartwarming site to visit.

Sep 11, 2008 papajoe

I couldn't watch your video. I was delighted to watch the one of the four dogs after they had been rescued and socialized but I couldn't watch the video of those poor frightened dogs when you rescued them from Vick. It is profoundly evil to use the natural urge of dogs to be pack members to turn them into killers. It takes so little to make them happy and they return so much more than they are given. Thank god that you were there for Michael Vick's victims.

Sep 16, 2008 yankeecajun121

everybody says pit bulls are vicious, but that's not true. pit bulls can be just as sweet and gentle as any other breed. my brother has a pit bull that i would have no problem leaving any other type of dog around. he is the sweetest thing around. it is wrong what people do to them. i am so glad that these dogs have found their place in the world, and that it is not anywhere near the hard life they once lived.

Oct 8, 2008 bellshell97

that's so sad that people make dogs do that to other dog thank you god for helping them

Oct 10, 2008 kutiepiekoda

it makes me feel so sad when i try to relate to the sadness and fear the dogs must of had. its so sad the dogs were completely like plastered against the wall in fear.

Nov 5, 2008 mikechi59

Wonderful story. Its nice to know there can be a happy ending to what was such a tragic event. I agree with the sentiments about Pit Bulls. My sister-in law took in a pit bull that was roaming the streets homeless and it couldnt be more sweet than any dog Ive ever known.

Nov 14, 2008 poker76

thats just so horrible how people would do that to poor animals atlest their saved

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